Daffodils: Lost Forever?

Though preservation is our mission, bulbs drop out of our catalog every year.

Sometimes it’s because the harvest was too small. Sometimes it’s because they’re widely available elsewhere and don’t need our help. And sometimes it’s because we’ve lost our only known source due to severe weather (cold, drought, etc.), health problems (a debilitating stroke), or economic woes (small farmers are always at risk).

The good news is that, in time, we’re often able to return these bulbs to our catalog. So here’s a list of many we’ve offered in the past. For an alert the moment they’re available again, subscribe to our free email newsletter. Or to find a similar bulb, try our easy Advanced Bulb Search.

Fall-planted: Crocus Daffodils Hyacinths Lilies Peonies Tulips Diverse

Spring-planted: Cannas Dahlias Daylilies Gladiolus Iris Diverse

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ANCIENT TRUMPETS Sampler

There’s more to trumpet daffodils than the stiff, over-sized honkers offered by every chain store. Look to the past and you’ll find a variety of bright, graceful, early-blooming trumpets that have delighted gardeners for centuries. We’ll send you 1 bulb each of 5 of the best: 1 N. pseudonarcissus, Lent lily (by 1200), 1 ‘Maximus’ (a.k.a. ‘Trumpet Major’, 1576), 1 bi-colored ‘Princeps’ (1830), 1 ‘Golden Spur’ (1885), and 1 ‘King Alfred’ (true stock! 1899). For zones 5a-8aS/10WC. This was a special, one-time-only sampler offered in 2010. Sorry!

ACTAEA, 1927

The 20th century’s best known pheasant’s-eye, ‘Actaea’ has big, round, sparkling white petals and a small, yellow eye edged with orange-red. Late, fragrant, and dependable, it has won every major bulb award. 9 W-YYR, 16-20”, zones 3-7S/9WC. Last offered in 2002. Widely available elsewhere.

ARGENT, 1902

“The very best of all double daffodils”? Yes, according to the great E.A. Bowles who, in 1914, raved about its “particularly graceful outline” and the “charming mingling of its silver and gold.” With long white petals thrusting out of a flurry of short, bright, yellow ones, ‘Argent’ is bursting with spring’s exuberance. From a cross of ‘Ornatus’ and super-strong ‘Van Sion’. 4 W-Y, 14-16”, zones 4-7S/9WC, from Holland. Last offered in 2011. We hope to offer it again soon. For an alert, sign up for our email newsletter.

BATH’S FLAME, 1913

With long, creamy yellow petals like the ears of a velveteen rabbit and a soft orange cup, ‘Bath’s Flame’ is another enduring gift from the remarkable Rev. Engleheart of Bath, father of our lovely ‘Beersheba’, ‘Seagull’, and ‘White Lady’. Try them all? 3 Y-YYO, 16-18”, zones 5-7S/9WC, from Holland. Last offered in 2007. We may offer it again periodically, or we could special order it for you.

BERYL, 1907

In daffodil shows across the country, this graceful little shooting star wins more ribbons for Best Historic Daffodil than any other. Its up-swept petals mature from almost-buff to white, while its dainty golden cup is kissed with orange. In the 1930s, garden diva Louise Beebe Wilder praised it as “neat and charming.” 6 W-YYO, 12-14”, z. 5b-8aS/10WC, Holland. Last offered in 2006. Widely available elsewhere.

BUTTER AND EGGS, 1777

This charming name gets mistakenly applied to all sorts of double yellow daffodils, so let the buyer beware. Ours is the authentic Southern heirloom – hardy north to zone 5 – that’s been a folk favorite and passalong plant for centuries. Its yellow petals are interspersed with shorter ones of gold to almost orange, and even snooty William Robinson in The English Flower Garden praised it, as “handsome and abundant.” Aka N. incomparabilis aurantius plenus, 4 Y-Y, 16-18”, zones 5b-8bS/10WC, from Louisiana. Last offered in 2011. We hope to offer it again soon. For an alert, sign up for our email newsletter.

CHINITA, 1922

With a unique look and fabulous scent, ‘Chinita’ is the love child of a pheasant’s eye and a tazetta such as Avalanche. Its flat, ribbed, golden eye is circled with orange, but what really sets it apart are its pale amber-to-cream petals. From the moment it first bloomed for us, we wanted to share it with you! 8Y-YYR, 21-23”, zones 6-8aS/10WC, from California. Last offered in 2009. We hope to offer it again soon. For an alert, sign up for our email newsletter.

CROESUS, 1912

With ruffled disks of orange-gold set against smooth, elegantly rounded petals of cream, this classic beauty is named for the fabulously wealthy King Croesus of Lydia who minted the world’s first coins. Plant it and you’ll be rich in beauty for years to come! 2 Y-YYO, 17-19”, zones 4-7bS/10WC, from Holland. Last offered in 2011. We hope to offer it again soon. For an alert, sign up for our email newsletter.

DICK WELLBAND, 1921

The rich color and flair of ‘Dick Wellband’ caused a sensation when it was first introduced – in a lavish display in front of yards and yards of draped black velvet – at the 1921 New York International Flower Show. Today it’s still as striking, growing strong across the country and especially well-loved in the South. 2 W-O, 16-20”, zones 5-8aS/10WC, from Texas. Chart to compare. Last offered in 2010. We may offer it again periodically, or we could special order it for you.

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