Dandy Daffodils

Can you distinguish these daffodils? King Alfred in back, Tete-a-Tete in front. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Dandy Daffodils

Rain is in the forecast and I can’t wait. Every spring thunderstorm encourages yet another patch of daffodils to bloom. The old-fashioned, early daffodils have finished blooming and King Alfred is making a statement along with the Tete-A-Tete smaller splashes of yellow. I truly love seeing the daffodils in bloom, their sunny colors are a great way to celebrate spring. And since I don’t remember where I have planted them, it’s a bit of a treasure hunt to walk my paths and discover what is blooming around the corner.

According to the Daffodil Society of the US, there are 13 1/2 daffodil divisions. I added the half for the “Miniature Daffodil” category.

According tot he Daffodil Society, “there are thirteen descriptive divisions of  daffodils.  Miniatures have the same descriptive divisions as standards, only with smaller blooms, usually less than 2 inches (50mm) in diameter.

A Daffodil Society poster with the 13 different daffodil categories. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Daffodil Divisions

Division 1 – Trumpet Daffodils

One flower to a stem; corona (“trumpet”) as long as, or longer than the perianth segments (“petals”).

 Division 2 – Large-Cupped Daffodils

One flower to a stem; corona (“cup”) more than one-third, but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments (“petals”)

 Division 3 – Small-Cupped Daffodils

One flower to a stem; corona (“cup”) not more than one-third the length of the perianth segments (“petals”)

 Division 4 – Double Daffodils

One or more flowers to a stem, with doubling of the perianth segments or the corona or both.

Division 5 – Triandrus Daffodils
Characteristics of N. triandrus clearly evident: usually two or more pendent flowers to a stem; perianth segments reflexed.

 Division 6 – Cyclamineus Daffodils

Characteristics of N. cyclamineus clearly evident: one flower to a stem; perianth segments significantly reflexed; flower at an acute angle to the stem, with a very short pedicel (“neck”)

 Division 7 – Jonquilla Daffodils

Characteristics of Sections Jonquilla or Apodanthi clearly evident: one to five (rarely eight) flowers to a stem; perianth segments spreading or reflexed; corona cup-shaped, funnel-shaped or flared, usually wider than long; flowers usually fragrant.

See the frilly trumpet on these light blond daffodils? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

 Division 8 – Tazetta Daffodils
Characteristics of Section Tazettae clearly evident: usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem; perianth segments spreading not reflexed; flowers usually fragrant.

 Division 9 – Poeticus Daffodils
Characteristics of N. poeticus and related species clearly evident; perianth segments pure white; corona very short or disc-shaped, not more than one-fifth the length of the perianth segments; corona usually with a green and/or yellow centre and red rim, but sometimes wholly or partly of other colours; anthers usually set at two distinct levels; flowers fragrant

Division 10 – Bulbocodium Hybrids
Characteristics of Section Bulbocodium clearly evident: usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant compared with the dominant corona; anthers dorsifixed (ie attached more or less centrally to the filament); filament and style usually curved.

 Division 11a – Split-Cupped Collar Daffodils
Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments opposite the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in two whorls of three.

Division 11b – Split-Cupped PapillonDaffodils
Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments alternate to the perianth segments; the corona segments usually in a single whorl of six.

 Division 12 – Other Daffodil Cultivars
Consists of daffodils not falling into any of the previous categories. Many are inter-division hybrids.

Division 13 – Daffodils distinguished solely by Botanical Name 
Consists of the Species, Wild Variants, and Wild Hybrids found in natural daffodils.

 Miniature Daffodil
Miniatures have the same descriptive divisions as standards, only with smaller blooms, usually less than 2 inches (50mm) in diameter. My tete-a-tete daffodils are a welcome miniature daffodil welcoming visitors to my garden.

I get to enjoy blooming daffodils all four seasons with this Four Seasons Lap Quilt I use as a wall hanging off my den.

 How many of these do you have in your garden?

Charlotte