The results are in from my 2001 trial of various miniature daffodils (narcissus, if you insist). For sheer staying power, ‘Jetfire’ is the winner by a mile. It’s even spreading, so it qualifies as a naturalizing bulb (as opposed to perennializing, meaning returning for several years). ‘Thalia’ and ‘Tete-a-Tete’ tie for second place, still popping up after five years but in diminishing numbers. And the varieties that have proven to be short-lived are: ‘Pipit,’ ‘Bell Song,’ ‘Jack Snipe,’ and ‘Hawera,’ and all of the doubles. None of the contestants received any attention on my part – surely we all have better things to do than pamper our daffodils.
Susan Harris's blog about eco-friendly and urban gardening, plus the adventures of a DC-based garden writer, coach and occasional rabble-rowser.
Jetfire, the Small Daff that Lasts
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Lovely! I’ll keep this variety in mind.
My experience down south in Austin is a bit different. I had ‘Jetfire’ but one year. Rather it is ‘Hawera’ thats been my most reliable return performer.
I wonder if it has to do with chilling periods. In our case, unless you want to be bothered with digging up the bulbs each year, narcissus that require chilling don’t rebloom well here.
How about February Gold? They’re like the energizer bunny and come busting back and spreading for years. My Thalias gradually disappeared, and so did all my doubles. It’s SOOO exciting to have spring teasing us now!!!!
Is Jetfire fragrant?
I second the vote for February Gold – I’ve already cut two bouquets of them for indoors & have plenty left for outdoor color. They are my faves as they are the earliest bloomers & I crave spring right now – really all my daff varieties have been pretty good naturalizers.
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