Narcissus is a genus of predominantly spring flowering perennial plants of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. Various common names including daffodil, narcissus and jonquil, are used to describe all or some members of the genus. Narcissus has conspicuous flowers with six petal-like tepals surmounted by a cup- or trumpet-shaped corona. The flowers are generally white and yellow, with either uniform or contrasting coloured tepals and corona.
A cultivar is a kind of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and which retains those traits when propagated. Methods used to propagate cultivars include division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture, or carefully controlled seed production. Most cultivars arise from purposeful human manipulation, but some originate from wild plants that have distinctive characteristics. Cultivar names are chosen according to rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP), and not all cultivated plants qualify as cultivars. Horticulturists generally believe the word cultivar was coined as a term meaning "cultivated variety".
A daylily or day lily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis, a member of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, native to Asia. Despite the common name, it is not in fact a lily. Gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists have long bred daylily species for their attractive flowers. Thousands of cultivars have been registered by local and international Hemerocallis societies. Daylilies are perennial plants, whose name alludes to its flowers, which typically last about a day.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus, commonly named the wild daffodil or Lent lily, is a perennial flowering plant.
Narcissus jonquilla, commonly known as jonquil or rush daffodil, is a bulbous flowering plant, a species of the genus Narcissus (daffodil) that is native to Spain and Portugal but has now become naturalised in many other regions: France, Italy, Turkey, the former Yugoslavia, Madeira, British Columbia in Canada, Utah, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and the southeastern United States from Texas to Maryland.
The American Daffodil Society (ADS), founded in 1954, in the centre for information on daffodils in the United States, and is dedicated to encouraging interest in and the breeding of daffodils. The ADS works closely with other daffodil societies around the world including the original Daffodil Society (1898) in the United Kingdom and the Royal Horticultural Society. The latter organization is the international centre for the registration of daffodil cultivars.
Arthur John "A.J." Bliss (1862–1931) was a British iris breeder who is credited with greatly improving the genetics of many modern strains, especially those descending from his Dominion cultivar.
Alec Gray (1895-1986) was an English nurseryman and horticulturalist. He was notable as an authority on and breeder of daffodils, having developed over 100 new cultivars over a career spanning 60 years. In his free time he was also an enthusiastic archaeologist and poet.
Guy Livingstone Wilson (1885-1962) was an Irish plantsman known as one of the most successful breeders of daffodils. He is commemorated by the Guy L. Wilson Daffodil Garden at the University of Ulster's Coleraine campus.
Narcissus minor, the lesser daffodil or least daffodil, is a species of Narcissus within the family Amaryllidaceae. The species and its cultivar 'Little Gem' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête' is a hybrid cultivar of Narcissus, which was introduced in 1949. It is one of 110 cultivars produced by British daffodil breeder Alec Gray. 'Tête-à-tête' is a popular ornamental plant, which is known for its very early flowering period and short stature. This cultivar is commonly used as a garden plant where it can be planted in pots, rock gardens, garden borders and even naturalized in lawns. The cultivar name 'Tête-à-tête' means to have a conversation between two people, which relates to the cultivar often hosting a pair of flowers per stem.
Narcissus 'Rip van Winkle' is an heirloom cultivar of Narcissus, which was first introduced commercially in 1884. When the cultivar was produced is unknown, however it is believed this historic cultivar originated in Irish gardens. The cultivar was first distributed by plantsman William Baylor Hartland of Country Cork, Ireland.
Narcissus 'King Alfred' is a cultivar of daffodil which originates in the county of Devon, United Kingdom. The cultivar is named after English king of the Anglo-Saxons, Alfred the Great.
Narcissus 'Grand Soleil d'Or' is a cultivar of daffodil. It is believed that the cultivar was derived from Narcissus tazetta.
Narcissus 'Gipsy Queen' is a hybrid cultivar of daffodil, which was registered in 1969. It is one of 110 cultivars produced by British daffodil breeder Alec Gray. This variety was produced by hybridizing Narcissus minor with Narcissus asturiensis.
Narcissus 'Sun Disc' is a hybrid cultivar of daffodil, which was introduced in 1949. It is one of 110 cultivars produced by British daffodil breeder Alec Gray. The cultivar was produced by hybridizing Narcissus rupicola with Narcissus poeticus.
Narcissus 'Jetfire' is a cultivar of dwarf Narcissus, which was introduced in 1966. It is one of many cultivars produced by American daffodil breeder Grant E. Mitsch. 'Jetfire' is a popular early flowering ornamental plant utilized in gardens, where it can be planted into borders, flowerpots, and naturalized in lawns. The cultivar has received multiple awards, including the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
