Narcissus triandrus Hawera - Daffodil

The Narcissus triandrus 'Hawera' is an ancient variety of daffodil, infinitely delicate thanks to its multiple small flowers in a tender canary yellow. Planted en masse in rock gardens or borders, this charming botanical daffodil creates the effect of a constellation of bells with soft and luminous reflections. In a container or pot, its miniature appearance will be even more enhanced. This multiflorous variety will also be sublime in a spring bouquet.

The Narcissus triandrus 'Hawera', beautifully called Angel's Tears Daffodil or Glénan Daffodil, was obtained in 1928 by Dr. William M. Thomson. This Aotearoa/New Zealand doctor gave this new variety the name of his city of residence, Hawera, located on the North Island. 'Hawera' also means 'breath of fire' in Māori. The Narcissus triandrus, widely spread in Spain, Portugal, and France, is endemic to Finistère.

'Hawera' forms a tuft reaching approximately 25 cm (10in) in height when in bloom. Its flowers appear in groups of 2 to 5 at the end of each stem. It is a plant that blooms rather late, in April-May, with yellow-green flower buds that open into pretty star-shaped flowers in canary yellow, slightly lighter in the centre, hanging downwards. These flowers are delightfully fragrant. The trumpet-shaped cup is surrounded by thin and narrow petals, slightly curved. The foliage is deciduous, cylindrical, and disappears in summer. The flowering is abundant, uniform, and attracts pollinating insects. This award-winning variety by the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit multiplies easily by producing bulblets, without the intervention of the gardener, forming large clumps over time. The Narcissus 'Hawera' belongs to Division 5 of the large family of daffodils, which includes 12 divisions.

The Narcissus 'Hawera' is undemanding, growing in any well-drained and loosened soil, although the results are less satisfactory in overly moist soils in summer. It has a clear preference for acidic soils, where it will be more floriferous. There is such a choice of varieties among daffodils that one can enjoy them for three months in spring without ever getting tired. They all have in common the ability to naturalise easily, a love for yellow and white, and often emit sweet fragrances. So many reasons to grow them in large clumps (at least 20 bulbs) for an amplified effect. Combine it with the daffodil 'Tricollet', in natural-looking flower beds, with scillas and hyacinths, accompany it with double tulips, but also with forget-me-nots, pansies, or liverworts. It will also be sublime under heathland shrubs such as rhododendrons, or under a tree, scattered in a variegated ivy carpet. A group of 'Hawera' daffodils in a vase creates a sensational effect. In containers, this daffodil is perfect.

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