The Difference Between a Daffodil & a Jonquil

According to the American Daffodil Society, a jonquil is one of the thirteen sections of daffodils. Bloom color, size and shape, in addition to foliage kind, flowering schedule and number of flowers to a stem, ascertain the classifications of over 25,000 registered mixers. All these perennials fall under the Narcissus genus. The flowers, grown from bulbs, possess the benefits of minimum care conditions and a year-to-year increase in plant issue.

Narcissus in All Its Forms

Common names for the beautiful spring-bloomer, like daffodil, narcissus and jonquil, can be perplexing. In general, “daffodil” refers to this large-flowered varieties, “narcissus” to small-flowered and early-blooming types bearing clusters of blossoms, and “jonquil” denotes N. jonquilla, frequently using fragrant, yellow flowers. Blooms are broken up into two components: the perianth, made up of six outer petal sections, along with the corona at the center, shaped like a trumpet or cup (based on length). Besides the familiar yellow and white flowers, daffodils also come in orange, red, apricot, cream and pink. In some types, the perianth and corona are different colours or varying shades of the same color. Leaves may be straight and flat or narrow and spiky. Most Narcissus hybrids thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9.

Jonquilla Division

Gardeners in certain parts of the country call any yellow daffodil a jonquil, but this is often incorrect. As a rule, hybrids in the jonquilla division boast more than one yellow blossom into a stem and a strong, sweet fragrance. Their leaves will most likely be dark-green, narrow and reed-like. “New Baby” and “Baby Moon” are just two small-flowered jonquils, tinted pastel-yellow and golden-yellow, respectively. With characteristics very similar to “Baby Moon,” “Quail” has a bigger, solid yellow blossom.

Other Daffodil Varieties

Among the more unusual specimens would be the dual daffodils, which look more like peonies. Cups on those have sections that are independent, rather than linked together. “Tahiti,” a dual daffodil reminiscent of a tropical bloom, includes a yellow blossom with red-orange interior ruffles. More acquainted trumpet daffodils generally produce white or yellow flowers or a combination of both. Bicolors include “Bravoure,” “Las Vegas” and “Topolino.” Triandrus daffodil hybrids normally have multiple nodding flowers per stem and a fruity fragrance. “Hawera” is a little, late-blooming triandrus that has many pale-yellow, bell-shaped flowers on a stem and a perianth made up of swept-back petals.

Growing Daffodils

Daffodils grow from a true bulb. At the nursery, start looking for the greatest and most solid bulbs you can find, and plant them twice as deep into the ground as they are tall. They grow best in full sunlight, and the blossoms usually come up facing the sun. Tolerant of most soil types, daffodils only need that it be well-draining and not too alkaline. In many regions, the perennials do not require water past the precipitation that falls. Daffodils bloom for 2 weeks to six months, depending on the cultivar and your climate. After flowering ceases, the plant stays green while the bulb rebuilds itself also expands for the following calendar year. Only if the leaves begin to turn yellow will you safely cut the foliage back.

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