Narcissus Flower Record

Narcissus 'Flower Record' is an excellent and reliable variety of daffodil that has been widely planted in gardens since its introduction in 1943. It faithfully blooms every spring, usually towards the end of April, bearing large, brightly bicoloured flowers that continue to increase in number. They are white with a large, bright yellow crown bordered with orange or red. The lightly scented flowers are wonderful in bouquets. Plant the bulbs under deciduous trees. It will easily naturalise alongside Anemone blanda. This variety is suitable for indoor forcing. It is ideal for brightening up planters from late winter.

Narcissus 'Flower Record' belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. More specifically, it belongs to division 2 of the large narcissus family, which includes 13 divisions. The genus Narcissus includes about 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. Like most large-crowned narcissus, Narcissus 'Flower Record' is the result of cross-breeding between N. poeticus and N. pseudonarcissus, or even N. incomparabilis. This variety was awarded in 1948 for its excellent suitability for forcing. The plant produces a thick, sturdy stem that reaches a height of 45cm (18in) when in bloom. It is a mid-season flowering plant, blooming in April-May, with a large yellow-green floral bud that opens into magnificent, fragrant flowers, 7 to 8cm (3in) wide. The flowers have six wide, slightly reflexed white petaloid tepals with a yellow base. The six stamens are inserted into a large cup-shaped crown or paracorolla, which is yellow with an orange margin. The linear foliage is deciduous, disappearing in summer.

There are so many daffodil cultivars that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all have in common the ability to naturalise easily, to offer an infinite range of yellow and white shades, and to often emit sweet fragrances. Grow them in large clumps in lawns or at the edge of flower beds (at least 20 bulbs) for an enhanced effect. Pair ‘Flower Record’ with squills, hyacinths, double tulips, forget-me-nots, daisies, chamomiles, or liverworts. A group of ‘Flower Record’ daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

Daffodils are narcissus, belonging to division 7 of the group. Native to southern Europe and North Africa, they bear flowers grouped in twos or more. There is also the botanical species that has retained the charm of wild plants and thrives in rockeries: N. bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N. juncifolius, N. pseudonarcissus are among the prettiest

For bouquets, we advise against mixing narcissus with other flowers such as tulips, as the stems of narcissus contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect on other flower types can be reduced by dipping the ends of narcissus stems in warm water for 1 to 2 minutes.