Narcissus Stint

Narcissus 'Stint' is a hybrid daffodil closely related to a botanical species called Narcissus triandus, endemic to Finistère. This pretty multiflorous variety produces 2 to 3 small flowers in two shades of yellow on each stem, which also have a delicate fragrance. It has the advantage of blooming late, until May, pleasantly extending the long daffodil season. In the garden, its bulbs naturalise easily in loose, moist, and well-drained soil. This easy and charming daffodil was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 2003.

Narcissus triandus, poetically called 'Angel's Tears' by the Anglo-Saxons, belongs to the amaryllis family. The Narcissus genus includes around 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The 'Stint' daffodil is a hybrid variety of N. triandus, obtained in 1970 in the USA. Its ancestor is a plant native to Spain, Portugal, and France where it is often called the Narcissus of Glenan. 'Stint' distinguishes itself by the yellow colour of its flowers and their less pronounced fragrance. The plant produces a sturdy stem that reaches 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) high when flowering. It is a late and long-flowering variety, starting from April, with each stem bearing 2 to 3 pendulous flowers, whose pale yellow reflexed petals surround a small trumpet of a deeper yellow. The perianth is composed of 6 slightly reflexed segments (tepals). Sometimes, a single bulb produces two floral stems. The deciduous foliage is thin and linear and disappears in summer.

With so many daffodil cultivars, one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all naturalize easily, love yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. So many reasons to grow them in large clumps (at least 20 bulbs) for a mass effect. Combine 'Stint', in natural beds, with scilla and anemone blanda, botanical tulips, forget-me-nots and small grasses like Stipa. A group of Narcissus triandus in a pot near the house or even in a poorly heated room will diffuse a very pleasant fragrance without being overpowering. It is perfect in bouquets.

Daffodil or Narcissus? Botanically speaking, daffodils are part of the narcissus family. They have flowers grouped in twos or more, and their corona forms a bell-shaped tube longer than the corolla is wide. Botanical species have the charm of wild plants and thrive in rockeries: N. bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N. juncifolius, N. pseudonarcissus and the simple wood jonquil are among the prettiest. In vases, we advise against mixing daffodils with other flowers, especially tulips, as the stems of daffodils contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect on other flower types can be mitigated by dipping the ends of daffodil stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.