This cross was made between two siblings from (Emerald Sea x Lima’s Green Goddess). Seed was sown in 2009 and this is the first from this batch to flower. 
It is a miniature measuring 45 mm. Wish I had it in bloom during the spring show season. I suppose it should be classed as a 7W-GGY. Not many buds showing this year but probably next year will see more of them in flower.
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Nice! But you said you sowed seed in 2009? Wow! That didn’t take long.
As for classification, I am at a loss when it comes to categorizing these kinds of flowers. As you recall, I showed two different seedlings of yours in Atlanta and Knoxville respectively earlier this year. For the second or third year in a row, they bloomed in the spring just months after blooming profusely in the late fall/early winter. So what was I to do except take them to shows! Shown under numbers, HK2-08 and HK6-08, I entered them as Division 12s. I didn’t know what else to do with them. Also, I have heard the debate that Narcissus viridiflorus is probably not really a part of the jonquil tribe. Therefore, is ‘Emerald Sea’ or its offspring appropriately placed in Division 7?
Greg
Greg:
Recent DNA data suggests that N. viridiflorus does belong with the jonquils. So they can go into division 7 provided there are more than one to the stem.
Harold
Thanks for the update, Harold. I must have slept through the last discussion on that.
Getting back to this wonderful seedling you’ve shown us here, do you typically get blooms that quickly from these crosses? Or is this the exception?
Greg
Greg:
I often get a few flowers in the 3rd year but usually most in the 4th year. Occasionally they take a lot longer. I can flower some of the bulbocodium hybrids in the second year. I feed my seedlings heavily during their first three years.
Harold
A truly beautiful flower Harold. The green colouring really adds a mystical fresh look to the flowers. Very impressive.
Dave
Greg, are you growing these viridiflorus hybrids in pots? With protection from freezing temperatures? I’m hoping some of these hybrids will turn up to be hardy outdoors here, but so far I grow them in pots and bring them in the garage during cold weather. Beautiful flowers, Harold!
Hello Becky,
Bob Spotts Messa Verde has proved to be hardy far north of Tennessee and Mississippi. Of course it is a spring bloomer rather than fall bloomer. Given time I am sure these and other hybridizers will develope hardy green cultivars. They will probably have to be spring blooming though as the blooms surely will not be able to stand extreme cold temperatures. I’am pretty sure cultivars like Harold’s Verdant Sparks would be hardy in our area. It would bloom before really cold weather arrives and the folage could survive our moderate winters. Jonquilla is a parent and it’s folage is above ground all winter here. I have had miniatus, viridiflorus, Limas Green Road and other fall bloomers outside and they have survived here so far. (USDA zone 7-7b)
Regards,
Larry
Becky,
All of my fall bloomers are in the ground, and they have been from the start. The HK2-08 seedling that bloomed in time for me to have a Blue Ribbon winner at the Atlanta show in March is about to have its first floret open today. If history repeats itself, it will bloom again come spring!
I’ll admit I’ve lost some of Harold’s bulbs, but I’m not sure if cold was a factor. After all, I’ve had spring-blooming bulbs wither away, too. I suppose nature tells us what will thrive in our micro climates and what will not. I suspect that most Narcissus viridiflorus hybrids and some of their descendants do best in a Mediterranean-like habitat. That is nearly inimitable here in South Carolina. Perhaps my remaining bulbs are not nearly as fussy about their location as some of their cousins would be.
Greg