Narcissus cyclamineus Skype

Narcissus 'Skype' blooms relatively early in the season and naturalises easily. It bears delicate flowers consisting of a pure white corolla of translucent petals and a frilly apricot-pink trumpet. Flowering takes place in March, at the same time as hyacinths and crocuses. It is a remarkable flower for bouquets. This hardy plant is easy to grow in well-drained soil, and will quietly settle in the garden.

Narcissus 'Skype' belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. The genus Narcissus includes about 50 species found primarily in Western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. The cyclamineus species is native to northwest Portugal and northwest Spain, and gets its name from its outer petals that form a completely reflexed corolla, like cyclamens. This characteristic is often greatly reduced in its hybrid descendants.

Narcissus 'Skype', derived from this species, is vigorous and prolific. The foliage reaches about 20cm (8in) in height. When in bloom, it reaches approximately 30cm (12in). Its bi-coloured flowers are composed of a corolla of slightly translucent, pure white petals. It bears a fairly long coronule at the centre, of a soft pink-orange hue. It flowers in March. It naturalises in the garden within 3 or 4 years through bulbil production.

Narcissus 'Skype' is undemanding and grows happily in any well-drained and loosened soil, but results are less satisfactory in excessively wet soils, especially in summer, or excessively acidic soils. There are so many daffodil cultivars that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all have in common the ability to naturalise easily, to offer an infinite range of yellow and white shades, and to often emit sweet fragrances. Grow them in large clumps in lawns or at the edge of flower beds (at least 20 bulbs) for an enhanced effect. Pair 'Skype’ with squills, crocuses, hyacinths, early-flowering botanical tulips, forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. A group of 'Skype’  daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. This daffodil is also perfect in pots.

Daffodil or Narcissus? Botanically speaking, daffodils are part of the narcissus family. They bear flowers grouped in pairs or more, and their corona forms a longer campanulate trumpet than the corolla is wide. The botanical species have the charm of wild plants and thrive in rockeries: N. bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N. juncifolius, N. pseudonarcissus are among the prettiest.

For bouquets, we advise against mixing narcissus with other flowers, especially tulips, as daffodil stems contain a substance that causes other flowers to wilt quickly. This detrimental effect on other flower species can be reduced by dipping the ends of narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.