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Narcissus poeticus

Phonetic Spelling
nar-SIS-us po-ET-ih-kus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Poets Narcissus is a beautiful white and yellow spring-flowering perennial bulbous herb that grows up to 1'5". This plant blooms in mid spring. Its red-rimmed yellow corona with white petals are distinguishing features of the plant. This plant is good for naturalizing and has a spreading habit. This plant is tolerant of heat and drought. It benefits from the addition of bone meal or superphosphate to the planting hole. Plant 6 weeks before the first freeze, 4-5" below the soil surface. Cut foliage back after it has browned naturally. This plant is pest and disease resistant due to its poisonous alkaloids content. This plant does well in mass in border fronts, under trees, or in containers.

Quick ID Hints:

  • One fragrant flower to a stem
  • Pure white perianth segments
  • Corona is flatenned, disc-shaped, green or yellow, and red-rimmed

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for slugs, snails and bulb mites. Bulb rot can occur in wet soils.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Narcissus.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#white flowers#perennial bulbs#mass planting#flower arrangements#herbaceous#naturalizes#bedding plants#cutting garden#fantz#border front#understory planting#spring flowering bulbs#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#white flowers#perennial bulbs#mass planting#flower arrangements#herbaceous#naturalizes#bedding plants#cutting garden#fantz#border front#understory planting#spring flowering bulbs#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Narcissus
    Species:
    poeticus
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to pests and diseases.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are scapose, horizontal to ascending, fragrant, 2-3" in diameter, and is subtended by a one-valved membranous spathe. The perianth is tubular at the base with 6 segments. Perianth segments are white, elliptic, entire, and cuneate. The corona is yellow, conspicuous, in the form of a flattened discoid cup, and is red-rimmed and frilled.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are basal, strap-like, entire, erect, green to blue-green and glaucous, and less than an inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Heat
    Insect Pests
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lycorine and other alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No