I would like to share that a Foundation that I am a part of, which is working to preserve sites of importance to early days of Methodism here in the USA, is also working to preserve Historic plants and Daffodils at the sites where preservation is being done. This foundation is the Old Brunswick Circuit Foundation. The daffodils in the picture are some of the daffodils growing at a site in Boydton, VA, and may have been planted as early as the late 1800’s. It is a joy to see them growing and giving a display of beautiful blooms.
Lovely daffodils but they look classic no historic. To me
John,
It is possible that there may be some classics here. We have found ‘Golden Spur’ on the property which is a historic. We are working to preserve all of them. There may be some that we will have to get more pictures of to help in identification. Note: There is so much variance in Historic Daffodils, and I appreciate the efforts by several to list/catalog the Historics with descriptions that can help us.
The picture that I have posted was taken too far away to do any identification.
Further note: On this property there were two schools in the past–one was it was the original location of the Randolph Macon College which moved after the Civil War to Ashland, Va. The second was started in the 1870’s when a second school used the site. That school was the Boydton Institute. We do know the Head Mistress of the Boydton Institute had a garden.
Lewis,
Again I make a point that I always make. When I first began my adult path of growing daffodils I bought a mixture from a garden center. There was a nice 2Y-Y that I took to my first show and asked the experts, who were all internationally recognised growers and breeders, to identify the cultivar. They all said Saint Keverne. I later realised that it looked like Saint Keverne but that was all. I am always wary that a found cultivar may come from a mixture or from an open pollinated seed. My point is that only some have worked with and can truly identify the historic cultivars and, from photos, I would say almost impossible.
Dave,
My comments are based on past Historic Activity at the site. The picture was not posted to identify these daffodils. The picture was posted to who the efforts at preserving them and seeing that our efforts are working–which we should be happy for.
I believe preserving them is one of the goals of the Historic Daffodil Group.
In time, we will want to look at all the daffodils blooming and identify what we can. Speaking of identifying them-you are certainly welcome to come and do that. I speak as a board member of the Old Brunswick Circuit Foundation, which owns the property.
Right now, we are working on building preservation, and it could potentially harm some of the daffodils –landscaping will be occurring shortly. We just put a new foundation under the building. We have taken pains to preserve some of the daffodils. I am very happy to see that some have made it.
Thanks Lewis for your explanation. I promise you that I have no skills in ID. I guess I was responding to the comment on ID that you made to John Beck. You are obviously doing a great job and I apologise for appearing to cast doubt on that work.
Dave,
Thank you. Our efforts as a foundation is preserving what is at the property. That includes historic plants.
The offer is open to any in the ADS who can identify historic and classic daffodils and would like to do so, we would appreciate your help. This location is in Boydton, VA. They can contact me for specifics and coordinating a visit. I will be happy to assist.
Do have a wonderful day!