Various colours and varieties in Daffodils and their bulbs

The Royal Horticulture Society has pioneered the classification of daffodils since 1908 and since 1955 it has become the International Registration Authority for the genus. Under the current system of classification daffodils fall into 12 division .Within each division daffodils are further distinguished by code colours.

White/ Whitish : W ; Orange : O ; Red : R ; Yellow : Y ; Pink : P ; Green : G

The colour code consists of two letters or groups of letters separated by a hyphen. The letter(s) before the hyphen describe the perianth segments (or petals); the letters following it describe the corona. For purposes of colour coding perianth segments and coronas are divided into 3 zones. If the perianth segments are of one colour only, one letter is used. If they are of more than one colour, then two or three letters are used, describing the outer zone before the mid zone and/or base. If the corona is of a single colour, one letter is used. Otherwise 3 letters are always used describing the eye zone before the mid zone and rim.

• Y-Y: It falls into classification 1, has Yellow petals & Yellow trumpet.
• YW-WWY: Indicates a daffodil with 2nd division, mainly yellow petals having white base and a medium cup having a white eye zone and mid zone and yellow rim.
• W-GYO: It comes under 3rd group of classification with white petals and short cup having a green eye zone, yellow mid zone and orange rim.

Division 1: Trumpet daffodils of garden origin

One flower per stem, corona (Trumpet) as long as or longer than the perianth segments (Petals). e.g.

1. Arkle (1 Y-Y): Flowers yellow, trumpet deep yellow.
2. Dutch Master Trumpet Daffodil (1Y-Y): Stem thick, flowers golden yellow, trumpet frilled, suitable for naturalizing in grass as well as for outdoor containers.
3. Hero (1Y-O): Perianth rich gold, trumpet orange.
4. Las Vegas: Perianth white, canary yellow cup. Fragrant flowers. Plant height up to 45-60 cm (18-24 inches).

Division 2: Large cup shape daffodils of garden origin - One flower per stem. Corona (cup) more than one third, but less than equal to the length of perianth segments (petals). e.g.

1. Ambergate (2O-O) :Perianth vibrant tangerine( shades of orange), cup strong orange. Height 30-45 cm (12-18 inch).
2. Carlton (2Y-Y): Tall, Perianth clear yellow (Golden), cup lighter. Grown mainly for cutting and forcing purpose.
3. Ceylon (2Y-O): Perianth yellow, cup orange turning brilliant red.
4. Passionate (2 W- P): Tall up to 40 cm, perianth snow white, cup soft pink.
5. Ice Follies (2 W-W): Perianth soft white, cup wide, crinkled and creamy yellow. Ideal for growing in garden. It can be forced in pots.
6. Salmon (2W-PPY): Perianth white, cup long deep pink, finely edge yellow.
7. Fortune: Yellow/orange- red, Flowering time is early spring.
8. Fortissimo: Perianth gold, corona red – orange, with 16 inch plant height.

Division 3: Small cupped daffodils of garden origin - One flower per stem. Corona (cup) less than one –third the length of the perianth segments (petals).e.g.

1. Barret Browning: (3 W-O); Perianth rounded, white with a flush of orange at centre.
2. Birma (3 Y- O): Perianth colour golden yellow, cup deep orange.
3. Doctor Hugh (3 W-GOO): Perianth white, cup orange with green at base.
4. Edward Buxton (3Y-OOR): Perianth white, cup orange-red.
5. Golden Frills (3W-WWY): Perianth white, cup white with fine yellow at rim.
6. Lollipop: White with pale lemon.
7. Lovable (3W-W): Pure white, cup neat.

Division 4: Double daffodils of garden origin - One or more flower per stem, with doubling of the perianth segments or the corona or both. e.g.

1. White lion(2W-Y): White petals interspersed with buff to yellow segments.
2. Tahiti (4Y-O): Tall, perianth golden, centre segments brilliant red orange.
3. Petite Four (4Y-PPY): Tall, perianth pale cream, centre segments soft pink apricot.
4. Flower Drift: White outer, yellow corona.
5. Cheerfulness (4W-Y): Creamy white-yellow, fragrant.
6. Double event (4W-Y): Pure white – yellow.
7. Rip Van Winkle (4Y-Y): Dwarf, sunny yellow.

Division 5: Triandrus daffodils of garden origin - Two or more pendent flowers to a stem. Perianth segments reflexed.

1. April Tears (5Y-Y): Flowers yellow to light yellow, cup lighter coloured.
2. Angels Tear: Bulb size up to 2x1.7 cm, globose dark.
3. Liberty Bells (5 Y-Y): Rich lemon yellow, tall (15 inch), 3 flowers per stem.
4. Ice Wings (5W-W): Snow white, Trumpet long, reflexed petals, plant ht, 12 inch.
5. Tuesdays Child (5 W-Y): White sulphur.

Division 6: Cyclamineus daffodils of garden origin

Usually one flower to stem. Noted for long trumpets and swept back petals. Flower at an acute angle to the stem, a very short pedicle (neck). e.g.

1. Tete-a-Tete (6Y-Y): Dwarf to 20 cm, multiheaded, Flowers bright yellow (Gold), Two flowers per stem. It is an improved hardy form.
2. Peeping Tom (6Y-Y): Perianth deep yellow (Gold), Cup yellow (Gold).Plant ht.12 inch, Reflexed petals, Long Trumpet.
3. N. Cyclamienus :Bulb size is upto 15 mm, Globose, Pale. An early spring flowering dwarf variety ideal for rock garden. It has unusual background facing petals.
4. Charity May (6 Y-Y): Vivid pure yellow (long lasting).
5. Dove Wings (6W-Y): White, Yellow.
6. February Gold (6Y-Y): Clear yellow (Gold), deep yellow (Gold).Early long trumpet. Plant ht. 10 inch.
7. February Silver (6W-W): White, creamy white. Early long trumpet. Plant ht.10 inch.
8. Beryl (6W-YYO): Primrose-orange.

Division 7: Jonquilla daffodils of garden origin

These are known for their perfume, tubular leaves and yellow flowers up to 5 cm across.

1. Sugar bush (7 W-YYW): Perianth white, Cup yellow and white.
2. Baby Moon (7Y-Y): Flowers rich yellow to lemon yellow, several blooms per stem, plant ht.7 inch.

Division 8: Tazetta daffodils of garden origin

Bunched flowers i.e. 3-20 flowers to a short stem. Leaves broad. Flowers are fragrant. Majority of hybrids are tender and used for pot cultivation indoors. While some hybrids can thrives outdoors.

1. Geranium (8W-O): Perianth soft white, cup rich orange, scented.
2. Paper White (8W-W): Up to five flowers per stem, flowers pure white. It is suitable for cut flower & pot plants .Bulb size 13-16 cm in circumference is suitable for plantation. All are very fragrant flowers.
3. Avalanche (8W-Y): White, soft yellow, 15 flowers per stem.
4. Silver Chimes (8W-W): White- White with cream flush from the base .Late bloom, silvery white, plant ht.12 inch.
5. Ziva paper white: Pure white. Suitable for cut flower and potted plant .

Division 9: Poeticus daffodils of garden origin

These are characterized by the white petals and the flat frilled bright red cup of scented flowers; they usually appear after the other narcissi have finished blooming. The plants grow about 38 cm (15 inch) tall and the flowers reach 7.5 cm (3inch) across.

1. Actea (9 W-GWO): It is the best and most popular variety. Flowers are very sweet scented, large, perianth segment white, cup shallow with canary yellow eye. Edge red. Height 42 cm (17inch).It is a good garden plant. It is also used for cutting.

Division 10:
This section includes all the wild forms and wild hybrids, all the miniature and less spectacular narcissi. It also includes wild variants with double flowers. e.g N. Bulbocodium- Conspicuus (Hoop petticoat daffodil): Bulbs up to 2x1.5 cm, globose, pale to dark, leaves dark green, erect, flowers solitary, horizontal, pale lemon yellow to deep golden yellow, often green tinged. This spp. is particularly good for naturalizing in grass on sandy soil.

Division11: Split corona daffodils of garden origin - Corona of the flower is split, usually for more than half its length.

1. Canasta (11W-Y): Perianth white, corona darker.
2. Cassata (11W-W): Perianth white, corona white with lint of lemon.
3. Orangery (11W-OOY): Perianth cream- white, corona orange with yellow rim.

Division 12: Miscellaneous daffodils

Those daffodil that are not falling into any one of the above divisions are included in this group.

1. Nylon (12W-W): Flowers creamy white.
2. Tarlatan (12W-W): Flowers soft white.

Miniature Daffodils: Miniature daffodils are becoming popular now a day. As such, there is no universally accepted definition of a miniature. They are used for exhibition purpose as having flowers no more than 5 cm/ 2inch in diameter if flattened out. The miniature type flowers earlier than the large cultivars. Almost all the wild forms have flowers of miniature type, and most of them are small in overall stature. The smallest of all is N. asturiensis(N. minimus). Its tiny yellow trumpet stands less than 8 cm (3 inch) tall. It is very early flowering. Its bulb size is up to2 cm, globose, pale.

N. Pseudonarcissus- wild daffodil, e.g Lent lily- Its bulb size is 2-5 cm, pale brown with neck. Plant is 18 cm tall.
N. Pseudonarcissus obvallaris or Tendby daffodil-It is 25 cm tall.

Some of the other popular daffodils varieties are as below:

1. Bridal Crown : Double, White, Orange center.
2. Flower Record : White, Orange-rimmed yellow cup.
3. Mount Hood : Ivory white.
4. Unsurpassable: Yellow.

1. Bethlehem (Nony): Creamy white, yellow cup.
2. Galilee (Gallilea) : Pure white.
3. Grand Soleil d, Or : Yellow orange cup.
4. Israel (Omri) : Creamy yellow, yellow cup.
5. Jerusalem (Sheleg): Pure white.
6. Nazareth (Yael) : Soft white, bright yellow cup.