Orchid Daffodil Narcissus triandrus Play pronunciation

Orchid Daffodil is a herbaceous perennial bulb in the onion family that grows up to a foot tall with an equal spread. It is easy to grow, showy, fragrant, with white to yellow blooms in the spring. The flowers tend to droop, thus the common name, Angel's Tears. This plant has nodding concolorous flowers with reflexed petals and flat leaves, which are the distinguishing characteristics of the plant.

Orchid Daffodil does best in full sun to partial shade and moist, well drained, sandy and acidic soil. It is tolerant of heat and drought. It is intolerant of extremely wet conditions. Narcissus flowers tend to face the sun, so choose a site that places shade at the rear of the planting. Plant the small, dark bulbs in the fall at a depth equal to 2 to 3 times the size of the bulb with about 3 inches of soil covering the bulb. This plant benefits from the addition of bone meal or superphosphate to the planting hole.

This plant has a spreading habit and is good for naturalizing.  Deadhead the flowers after the spring blooms to prevent seeding, but do not cut foliage back until after it has browned naturally. The clumps can be divided to rejuvenate the plants.

Quick ID Hints:

• Perianth segments are reflexed
• Flowers are concolorous: all white or all yellow
• Usually 1-2 slightly nodding flowers per stem
• Leaves are flat and very slender

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

Narcissus is noted for being pest and disease free. 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 developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Narcissus.