I knew it was coming – and I’ve never seen a more wonderful spot of color amidst last fall’s leaves. The first of the Narcissus Mando, a 1959 Guy Wilson hybrid, is blooming in one of the front porch garden beds. Very soon, a riot of color shall follow, for I have planted hundreds of this variety. Don’t be fooled – winter isn’t done with us yet. Spring soccer season starts in two weeks, which means the temperatures will plummet and we may even be subjected to more snow. But the sight of this lovely yellow trumpet makes me so happy. Plus, this bloom is two weeks later than the first bloom of 2024, so I hope we shall have a longer spring bulb season this year.
The first jonquil – that’s what my grandmother called them – to bloom this year.
A note about terms: all daffodils are narcissus. What you call them may vary on where you grew up. My paternal grandmother called them jonquils, a term heard more often in the southern United States. Technically speaking, Narcissus Jonquilla are a type of daffodil, one with many blooms per stem.
A cover of Wilson’s 1947 catalog.
Guy Livingstone Wilson was am Irishman and prolific breeder of daffodils. Born in 1885, he fell in love with daffodils while still a young boy. By the time of his death in 1962, he was recognized as one of the leading daffodil hybridizers of all time.
thanks for sharing………..just love them!!! I don’t have anything in bloom yet. Will have to check into getting some!! What fun…
I miss Daffodils. They don’t grow this far south. I remember that fragrance…