Daffodil Ammends and an Ode to a Tulip

I had never been a huge fan of spring narcissus...otherwise known as daffodils.  Maybe it was the bright color yellow (which has not been one of my favorites), or the association with the sniffles and sneezing that often signaled the beginning of spring for me.  Perhaps I grew bored with them.  I always knew that there were a range of different varieties, shapes and colors, but for some reason, I never really gave them a fair chance.

Of course, I would plant Easter gifts of mini daffodils each season, but always forgot where I had planted them.  Last year, to try and remedy my detached relationship with the ever so loved bulb, I bought a bag of white daffodils and planted them though out my perennial beds.  When they appeared, I felt a twinge of excitement.  They were cute and cheery and a little bit different from other types that I had seen.

I moved to a new house and garden during the winter, so I had seen the landscaping in late summer/fall, but never really had the opportunity to inspect the subtleties of the plant life.  Of course I brought many of my own valued plants, ones that I had added to my collection and wanted to introduce into the new setting.  With the coming of spring, and a brand new garden, there were so many lovely surprises that I was welcomed with each day.

The collection of daffodils was one of these surprises.  Everyday, I would walk around the yard and noticed daffodil varieties that I had never seen before.  Each bunch appeared gradually, like a wave coming on to the beach and leaving a trace of water behind in the sand.  I had planted one or two packs of bulbs in the fall, but back then had no idea about the collection that I was adding on to. 

This one below is one of my new all time favorites...despite it's yellow color (wink wink).  It has a flower as detailed as a peony and smells so fragrant and sweet.  The flowers are so heavy that they needed to be supported in wet weather to keep their pretty little heads out of the mulch beds.

The creamy yellow small ones, and little white ones looked like they belonged in some kind of dewy fairy world.

Varieties with two tones were spectacular, fading from one color to another, or bright colored center against yellow or white petals.  Others sported multiple layers and ruffles adding complexity to their  beauty.  They were planted in clumps, with different varieties positioned next to one another, which added emphasis to their individual characteristics. 

I was so excited to see all of the different kinds that I now had on my property that I began cutting them and making arrangements to give away to friends, and decorate the center of my breakfast table.  I went for a walk around the creek that runs through my back yard, collecting wild grape hyacinth so that I could add a pop of contrasting royal blue color to the bouquets. 

Now, much like many plants that I discover each season, I have opened my eyes and have become intrigued by these intoxicating little flowers.  Each fall, I will be sure to keep an eye out for new varieties to add to my collection. 

As an ode to my former favorite spring flowering bulb, one single yellow tulip appeared in my new garden!  (And of course it was yellow...)