Perched like teacups waiting for a fairyland party, daffodils fill a landscape with magic. Usually glowing gold, these unusually shaped flowers bring distinct energy to springtime gardens. Daffodils are highly desirable plants, wanted for the beauty they bring to gardens, landscapes and fresh arrangements. They are fairly effortless to grow, with many variations providing several different looks. Daffodils cheerfully take on their role as one of the ambassadors of spring.
Daffodils are the common name of the genus Narcissus (although the botanic name is sometimes used as well). This genus, native predominantly to the Mediterranean region with a few species hailing from Asia, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Daffodils, also called 'jonquils' in many parts of North America, are bulb plants. Almost all species of this genus bloom in the spring, but there are a few which bloom in the fall. All daffodils have a wide round base of petals from which a trumpet shaped corona rises out of the center. Many cultivars have been created to modify this original look, some with multiple rows of petals within the larger base, some with ruffled petal edges, and some with longer or shorter corona (to name only a few). The most common varieties are yellow petals with a slightly darker corona and white petals with yellow centers. The typical daffodil has one bloom per stem, and long slender leaves with pointed tips which grow up from the base of the plant around its stems.
The name Narcissus comes from Greek mythology. Both the word narcissist and the name of this genus find their roots in the story of Narkissos, a youth of great beauty and all consuming vanity. The origins of the name 'daffodil' are less understood. Although the term 'affodel' was used earlier to name this flower, by the sixteenth century the letter 'd' had inexplicably been added to the beginning. The term 'jonquil' technically only applies to one specific species, but the name has come to encompass the entire genus for many people. No matter what they are called, these plants remain extremely popular throughout the world. They are a traditional ornamentation for Chinese New Year celebrations. Daffodils are also the national flower of Wales, where they are worn on St. David's Day. They are also extremely popular in many countries as part of Easter and spring celebrations. It isn't hard to understand why these matchless and delightful blooms would make such an impression on people everywhere. The dreamy cups and saucers of daffodils hold liquid sunshine in any setting.