Narcissus Pink Pride

Narcissus 'Pink Pride' was released in 1970, quickly receiving an award from the Royal Horticultural Society. Its flower was the first to display a large crown distinctly tinged with pink. It rests on a generous corolla of pristine white petals, towering above other daffodils at a height of over 65cm (26in) from the ground. In the garden, it is a reliable plant that returns every year, eventually forming large clumps that are always a pleasure to behold. It is simply superb in a vase.

Narcissus 'Pink Pride' belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. More precisely, it belongs to division 2 of the large daffodil family, which is composed of 13 divisions. The Narcissus genus includes around 50 species primarily found in the Western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. Like most large-cupped daffodils, 'Pink Pride' is the result of cross-breeding between N. poeticus and N. pseudonarcissus, or even N. incomparabilis. The plant produces an immense but sturdy stem, reaching a height of 67cm (26in) when in bloom. It is a late-flowering plant, blooming in April-May, with a large yellow-green flower bud that opens into magnificent flowers, 10cm (4in) wide. The flowers have six ivory-white, very wide, slightly backward-curving petal-like tepals. The six stamens are inserted into a large crown or paracorolla with an undulating cup shape that is pale lemon-yellow when it first opens. This cup quickly takes on a cream-white hue, and partially turns a pale salmon-pink, especially towards the highly undulating edge. 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 'Pink Pride’ with squills, wood hyacinths, double tulips, forget-me-nots, chamomiles, and pansies. A group of 'Pink Pride’ daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

Native to Southern Europe and North Africa, they bear 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.