It has been a frosty week over most of N Z this week but the daffodils are still moving slowly.John Hunter has bred a line of very early and very white large cups from Penguin – x – [( Glndermott – x – Kotuku ) – x – Canisp .]I have four selections from this cross and two are currently flowering .
JAH 3 – 93 D
3 – 93 D is regarded as the best formed and is the second to flower .Big blooms 120 mm plus , opening clean white and with a strong resemblance to Canisp .
The third to flower has quite a serrated finish to the cup , is a little prone to catching and nicking but also has a very smooth perianth . John has a lot of tazetta and jonquilla seedlings in flower at present . Considering that most have N. Viridiflorus in their pedigree , they are showing good frost hardiness .
LOCH LOYAL – X – EMERALD SEA
14 – 95 J is from Loch Loyal – x – Emerald Sea . Attractive red cup , good stem , strong fragrance .
HILLSTAR SEEDLING .
67 – 95 J is Hillstar – x – 47 88 C , a sibling to Emerald Sea . The Hillstar influence is very apparent .