Narcissus Sabatini

The Narcissus 'Sabatini' is a refined daffodil variety, prized for its large 11 cm diameter lemon-yellow flowers adorned with a distinctive white halo that accentuates their colour around the frilly crown. With its upright and elegant habit, this bulbous plant is an excellent choice for borders, rockeries, container planting, or for naturalising in meadows. It makes a superb cut flower and is an easy-to-grow plant, with short sturdy stems that withstand wind.

The Narcissus 'Sabatini' is a horticultural cultivar belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, classified in Division 1 of daffodils by the Royal Horticultural Society, characterised by long-trumpeted flowers. It was hybridised by C.A.J. van der Wereld in the Netherlands and registered in 2014 by World Flower. This cultivar is the result of cross-breeding where the female parent is 'Primeur', while the male parent remains unknown. Compared to the type species, the 'Sabatini' is distinguished by its 11 cm diameter flowers, with a shiny greenish-yellow perianth and a 40 mm-long, also greenish-yellow, funnel-shaped crown featuring a crenate margin and a distinctive white halo at the base. The plant has an upright habit and moderate growth, reaching a height of 35 to 50 cm in open ground. In cultivation, it develops a compact clump with a spread of 10 to 20 cm. The plant produces offsets, allowing for gradual naturalisation over the years. Flowering occurs in April. The foliage is deciduous, formed of linear, green leaves that emerge in spring and wither after flowering. The 'Sabatini' was named in honour of the Italian writer Rafael Sabatini, famous for his adventure novels, reflecting the bold character of this daffodil variety. With its sunny glow softened by a subtle white halo, the Narcissus 'Sabatini' brings a touch of gentle light to early spring. It pairs wonderfully with bluish grape hyacinths or Siberian squills which contrast with its lemon-yellow robe while sharing the same requirements for light and well-drained soil. Planted en masse under deciduous bushes or at the foot of hedges, it elegantly accompanies the burgeoning spring garden. In pots on a patio or balcony, it reveals its full finesse when paired with the Tulip 'Spring Green' or the pearly elegance of Narcissus 'Thalia'.

For cut flower arrangements: we advise against mixing daffodils with other flowers, particularly tulips, as the stems contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect can be attenuated by dipping the cut ends of the daffodil stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.