Narcissus Papillon Blanc

Narcissus Papillon Blanc is an old variety with white orchid-like flowers. Its large flower with a fringed texture, has a cream-white corolla and a cut-out crown tinged with lemon yellow. Over time this flower becomes whiter. It is perched on top of a sturdy stem, is a good size for cut flowers and has excellent wind resistance. It flowers in the garden at the same time as tulips, allowing for an infinite number of combinations. It is an easy and hardy plant that settles well in the garden.

The 'White Butterfly Narcissus' first bloomed in 1940 but was officially introduced in the Netherlands in 1960 where it was awarded in 1962. Like all daffodils, it belongs to the lily family (Amaryllidaceae). More precisely, it is classified in division 11 of the large narcissus family, which has 12 divisions. 'White Butterfly reaches about 35 cm (14in) high for the foliage, 45 cm (18in) when in bloom. Its solitary, 8.5 cm (3in) wide flowers, are subtly bicolour, composed of a corolla of white petals with a split crown of light lemon yellow. It is a mid-late flowering plant, in April-May, with yellow-green flower buds that open into large slightly scented flowers. Split-crown daffodils have a split crown of petals that extends at least one-third of their length, with the edge turned towards the petals and slightly fringed. The flowers have six petal-like tepals. The six stamens are inserted into a cup-shaped crown. The deciduous, linear foliage disappears in summer. This variety easily multiplies through the production of bulblets. It is the origin of six registered varieties, including 'Spring Diamond' and 'Boston'.

narcissus Papillon Blanc is undemanding and grows in any well-drained and well-worked soil, although the results are not as good in excessively wet or acidic soils. There is such a choice of varieties among daffodils that you can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting bored. They all easily naturalise, love yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. So many reasons to grow them in large groups (at least 20 bulbs) for a mass effect. Grow 'Papillon Blanc' in carefully arranged beds, with scillas and hyacinths, early tulips, forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. A bunch of 'Papillon Blanc' in a vase will look sensational. This narcissus is also perfect in pots.

For bouquets: we advise you not to mix narcissus with other flowers, especially tulips, as the stems of narcissus contain a substance that quickly withers other flowers. You can alleviate this harmful effect on other flower species by dipping the ends of narcissus stems in hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.

The Narcissus genus includes about 50 species found mainly in the western Mediterranean, but also in Africa and Asia. Daffodils are narcissus, belonging to division 7 of the group. Native to Southern Europe and North Africa, they have flowers grouped in pairs or more. Botanical species have kept the charms of wild plants and thrive in rock gardens: N. bulbocodium, N. canaliculatus, N. juncifolius, N. pseudonarcissus and the simple wood daffodil, are among the prettiest.