Narcissus tazetta has a few Autumn blooming varieties from dry Mediterranean areas that bloom when the first rains arrive in the fall and winter, these varieties don’t need a winter chill in order to bloom like most Narcissus. My Autumn colors from tazetta expert Bill Welch in California have done really well this year and have been blooming since October. They’re still blooming and should continue until Febuary because of variable genetics.
This one resembles viridiflorus and has many stems per bulb, I might register this cultivar in the future:
And some nice yellows:
My seed grown Narcissus papyraceus hybrids are also flowering:
I’m starting my own hybridization program focusing on Autumn blooming varieties and species, these Autumn colors have all set seed well with pollen I hand crossed from ziva and inbal. I have also successfully germinated Narcissus deficiens, viridiflorus, and obsoletus seeds from Spain which I will use later as a parent. I have saved pollen from many of my favorite Autumn colors to use as parents on later blooming species in order to create winter hardy Autumn blooming hybrids.
Thanks for posting Bradley . You are very fortunate to be in an area where you can enjoy these autumn flowers – they are always welcome as the days are shortening and the temperatures diving .We are fortunate in my area here , Otaki NZ , to have mild winters and thus able to enjoy these blooms .We have many from Bill Welch seed , raised by NZ growers – he has been very generous with his seed ( and Bulb ) distribution . Starting with these early tazettas , I had cutflowers in the markets from 29 April until 14 October this year , about 23 weeks ; probably the longest season I have had in over 30 years marketing daffs . Good luck with your hybridizing program , Bill is as generous sharing his vast knowledge as he has been with his seeds .
Very nice, Bradley. Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your breeding program in the future.
Thank you for the kind responses, I’m glad to hear other people around the world are enjoying these unique Narcissus. I believe Bill Welch has extended the daffodil season longer than anyone so far and I hope to contribute to that legacy with my own hybrids.
Here are a few more shots of Autumn colors:
Here is a fasciation:
Fat fertile seed pods:
I was glad to read Bradley McCarson’s South Carolina address. That’s near
me (St. Simons Island, GA) relatively speaking. Closer than California.
Since reading about the show in Indianapolis my curiosity has been piqued.
I am thinking that is where my daffodils and I fit best. I have some of Ted
Snazelle’s standing almost 2′ tall ready to burst their bulging pods.
sWelch’s Autumn colors do well also.
I struggle to make the “first” show (Atlanta) as mine are usually gone in
Jan or Feb unlike my growing seasons in VA and NJ.
When is the NC show, Clay?
Jackie Turbidy
Bradley,
It sounds like you really have something going there! On one hand, I hate to see it because with Inbal and other paperwhites as parents, there is no way I’ll be able to grow anything you turn out here in Indy :(, but on the other hand, it’ very exciting to see (and practically smell) in the dead of winter. LOL! This was my first year with Autumn Colors, which opened almost exactly 4 weeks after planting in a pot. They were on display at the entrance of the hotel in Indianapolis. So cheery compared to the plain white I usually have at Christmas!
Best of luck!
~Suzy
Suzy,
No worries, I have stored pollen from the best Autumn color parents that I will cross with hardier flowering varieties and species. My hope is to create some hardier Autumn flowering hybrids. I have over 28 of my favorite species and varieties to choose from as parents.
Good man! <g>
~Suzy
Jackie Turbidy asked when the Barco, NC show is — it is March 25, 2017 (Northeast North Carolina Daff. Soc.).
All ADS 2017 approved shows are posted on the ADS website: http://daffodilusa.org/events-show-calendar/calendar-of-events/
Plan to visit several!
Margaret Macneale
So nice to see other people realize the potential of Autumn and also winter blooming daffodils. Go for it Bradley!
Great work Bradley. Nice to see other people realize the potential for both Autumn and Winter blooming daffodils.
Jackie Turbidy my apologies. I saw your message, unfortunately I got distracted and didn’t get back to it until Margaret asked again.
Our BARCO, NC show is on March 25, 2017. It’s the same day as the Georgia, USA, show this year.
Clay
Hi Harold, I’ve been a huge fan of your hybrids on daffnet and they’ve been a huge Inspiration for my breeding program. I love your Autumn glory and Autumn crinkle hybrids along with your viridiflorus crosses.Truly astounding work. Thanks for for kind wishes!