Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Daffodils Galore

It has been cold and wet and cold. And it has been damp and chilly too. Spring seems slow in starting this year. I'm disappointed with the sluggish performance of the season so far but the daffodils are taking it in stride. The "Ice Follies" daffodil above is one of nearly 100 bulbs I planted in the community garden last year.

I had serious doubts about how the bulbs would do. The soil in the community garden is dreadful, more dreadful than any living plant should have to endure. Even so, the daffodils are looking good. This is a grouping of "Carlton" just days away from blooming. Both "Carlton" and "Ice Follies" are often described as vigorous growers and both are supposed to be great for naturalizing. Since they are doing so well in their first season, I have real hope that our dismal, little community garden will one day be fantastic.

Last fall I set out on a mission to bring more spring colour to my backyard garden. Well the "King Alfred" daffodils have delivered. The flowers and trumpets are enormous. "King Alfred" daffodils have an interesting story. Once upon a time, long ago and far away, "King Alfred" was considered the king of daffodils. Over the years the bulb was fiddled with and improved upon so much that the original "King Alfred" almost all but disappeared. But the name attached itself to similar, "improved "bulbs and it stuck. As a result, today's "King Alfred" bulbs are really working under an assumed identity.

As beautiful as the "King Alfred" daffodils are there is another King, or should I say Queen, in my garden. This daffodil is my all-time favourite. I planted it long before I knew that a daffodil was more than just a daffodil. I have no idea what it is but I will grow in my garden forever!

There are more daffodils on the way. The buds on the "Irene Copeland" strike me as very unusual for a daffodil. It will be interesting to see what unfolds. I am holding my breath for the "Barrett Browning." It's a white daffodil with an orange centre. I'm also waiting for "Pink Pride" and "Pink Charm" to make an appearance.

So while it has been cold, wet, damp, chilly and cold, the daffodils have injected some much needed "sunshine" into the spring garden.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous daffs!

Nutty Gnome said...

Gorgeous photos! Daffodils can warm even the coldest of hearts - they're such happy flowers!

Connie said...

Your daffs look great! Here's hoping the sunshine will come your way very soon. :-)
My yard is in it's spring prime with tulips and daffodils blooming, though some of the daffs are already finished. Hope to get out and grab some photos soon.