The best daffodils for the south

Narcissus 'Avalanche' - Narcissus tazetta 'Avalanche'

Also known as Tazetta Daffodils, from Constantinople or Cyprus, Narcissus tazetta, belonging to the amaryllidaceae family, bears small flowers gathered in bouquets at the end of floral stems that can reach up to 70 cm in height. Native to southern France, Italy, Greece, and North Africa, they have a typically Mediterranean growth cycle and do not require a cold period to flower.

The Narcissus tazetta ‘Avalanche’ is an old variety and well-established, prized for its small bicoloured flowers gathered in bouquets on a tall stem. They consist of a corolla of white petals topped with a light yellow corona, and their musky fragrance is unparalleled!

‘Avalanche’ flowers as early as the end of March in mild climates and a little later in cooler climates. It is a medium hardy bulbous (down to -10/-12 °C), but very well adapted to heat and summer drought, particularly easy to grow in climates that experience dry summers.

The Narcissus 'Erlicheer' - Narcissus tazetta 'Erlicheer'

The Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’ is also a descendant of the Narcissus tazetta. This stunning old variety of Narcissus is highly floriferous and possesses an unmatched charm. Its flowering begins very early, filling the air with fragrance from the first days of spring. The lovely small flowers of ‘Erlicheer’ gather up to 8 per stem and have a beautiful double shape in ivory white with a touch of yellow at the heart. Highly fragrant, these flowers last a long time in borders, as well as in bouquets.

This small awarded narcissus blooms in the early days of spring, in any well-drained soil, even clayey and dry in summer. It naturalises very easily in the garden, and thrives particularly in southern gardens with their specific climate and soil characteristics.

The Daffodil "Twinkling Yellow" - Narcissus jonquilla var. henriquesii 'Twinkling Yellow'

The Narcissus ‘Twinkling Yellow’ is derived from a botanical species, Narcissus jonquilla var henriquesii, native to Portugal, which was once cultivated in Grasse for perfume production. Very vigorous, hardy and floriferous, this excellent variety is a delightful dwarf daffodil, producing up to 6 small flowers per stem. They are of a beautiful golden yellow colour, deliciously fragrant, and brighten the garden sometimes as early as mid-February, depending on the climate, and continue to bloom for a month and a half.

Loving the sun that “cooks” its bulbs in summer, Twinkling Yellow will naturally find its place in rockeries, border beds, and planters in the south. Very hardy, it is also low-maintenance regarding soil type, as long as it is well-drained.

The Narcissus 'Canaliculatus' - Narcissus tazetta Canaliculatus

Of Mediterranean origin, the Narcissus tazetta ‘Canaliculatus’ produces small flowers composed of a corolla of white petals that are curved backwards, featuring a short central yellow crown of gold. Blooming from February to April, they are grouped up to 8 on very sturdy stems 20 to 25 cm tall in flower and are distinguished by their sweet fragrance.

Easily naturalising, the Narcissus tazette ‘Canaliculatus’ thrives in any well-drained soil, even calcareous and clayey, and thanks to its origins, it prefers sunny exposures and dry soils in summer: a boon for southern gardens!

Suzy Daffodil - Narcissus jonquilla 'Suzy'

Valued for its bright and fragrant flowering, the Narcissus jonquilla ‘Suzy’ is an old variety closely related to the true daffodil of Southern Europe. Modestly sized yet sturdy, it produces very fragrant flowers in April-May, featuring a corolla of bright yellow petals surrounding a small coronule with bright orange undulating edges. Each flower stem, reaching a height of 30 to 40 cm when in bloom, bears several of these delightful flowers.

The Narcissus jonquilla naturally grows in the Midi, and the cultivar ‘Suzy’ is well-suited to hot and dry summer climates, where it easily naturalises. Plant it in full sun or partial shade, in sunny Mediterranean borders and rockeries, or in pots placed near the house to enjoy its unique fragrance!

for further reading...

→ Discover how to properly plant, grow, and maintain Daffodils or Jonquils

→ Our video tutorial explains everything about the planting technique for Daffodil bulbs