Narcissus Mount Hood

Narcissus 'Mount Hood' bears a large solitary flower measuring 10cm (4in), with a perfectly uniform white colour tinged with ivory at full bloom. It features a large yellow-green trumpet at its opening. This historical variety has received many awards, including the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden. Excellent for forcing indoors, this narcissus is a superb bouquet flower. It is easy to grow and happily naturalises in the garden. 

Narcissus 'Mount Hood' first bloomed in 1921 in the Netherlands and was introduced to the market in 1938. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. More precisely, it belongs to division 1 of the large narcissus family, which includes 13 divisions. The Narcissus genus comprises about 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. Narcissus 'Mount Hood', like the majority of large-cupped narcissus, is the result of cross-breeding between N. poeticus and N. x pseudonarcissus, or even N. incomparabilis. It is an excellent creation that has given rise to 3 more recent varieties. The plant produces a sturdy 45cm (18in) tall flowering stem. It is a mid-early flowering plant, in April, with a large yellow-green floral bud that gives rise to magnificent 10cm (4in) wide flowers. The flowers have six very wide petal-like tepals. The six stamens are inserted into a large cup-shaped crown or paracorolla. It is yellow, fading to ivory. The linear foliage is deciduous and disappears 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 'Mount Hood' with squills and hyacinths. Plant the bulbs with double tulips, forget-me-nots, daisies, chamomiles, or liverworts. A group of 'Mount Hood‘ daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

Daffodils are actually narcissus, belonging to division 7 of the group. Native to southern Europe and North Africa, they have flowers grouped in pairs 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, especially tulips, as daffodil stems contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect on other flower species can be attenuated by dipping the ends of narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.