NC State Extension
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Plant DetailShow Menu

Narcissus x odorus

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
nar-SIS-us OH-dor-us
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The Campernelle Jonquil is a herbaceous perennial bulb, a hybrid of N. jonquilla with the Lent Lily N. pseudonarcissus, that grows up to 1 foot, 4 inches tall. This plant blooms in mid spring with clusters of fragrant, deep yellow flowers. Its rolled, ridged leaves form a semi-circle, a the distinguishing feature.

This plant prefers moist, well-drained, lime-free soil in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of heat and drought, but intolerant of extremely wet conditions. It benefits from the addition of bone meal or superphosphate to the planting hole. Plant 6 weeks before the first freeze, and plant 4-5 inches below the soil surface.

This plant has a spreading habit and is good for naturalizing. Flowers face the sun, so site the bulbs with any shade areas at the rear of the planting. Seed heads can be removed after flowering, but do not remove leaves until they have died back as they are providing nutrients to next year's bulb. Cut foliage back after it has browned naturally.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves rolled, semi-circular
  • 1-4 flowers per stem, fragrant, all-yellow

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

Disease and pest resistant. 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.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#disease resistant#pest resistant#spreading#fantz#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#th-smell#th-wildlife
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#disease resistant#pest resistant#spreading#fantz#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#th-smell#th-wildlife
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Narcissus
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Spain
    Distribution:
    Europe, Canada, and much of the United States
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are scapose, ascending, fragrant, up to 2 inches in diameter, and are subtended by a one-valved, membranous spathe. They are perianth tubular at the base with 6 segments. Perianth segments are yellow, elliptic, entire, and cuneate. Corona's are yellow, conspicuous, and are regularly lobed to nearly entire.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are basal, strap-like, entire, erect, strongly keeled, bright green, and less than an inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Heat
    Insect Pests
    Rabbits
    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