Bulbocodium Daffodils
11 Cultivars Listed
Division ten is for Bulbocodiums, uniquely shaped daffodils with dominant swelled coronas and spiky little, seemingly vestigial, petals. Bulbocodiums are constitutionally monochromatic: blooms of pure whites, cream, pale yellow, lemon, or sulfur yellow. As of this writing, bulbocodiums are also universally dwarf in height and miniatures in flower diameter. They are the least well known form of the daffodil and on first encounter always elicit a deserved exclamation of "oh-so-cute".
In the Southern US , USDA zone 8, bulbocodiums are described as feral. In nature they occur in Iberia at lower altitudes, from sea-level to 300 meters, in places where the temperature rarely falls below freezing. In the northern states without lifting the bulbs struggle, diminishing in weight will eventually petering out after a few years. Their lack of longevity is not a reason to avoid them: they can make a bold statement planted in drifts in the lawn, or delicate interest in the border and rock garden. It has been suggested that the Bulbocodiums make a good house plant, even for apartment dwellers with a sunny window and storage for the pot when dormant.
Bulbocodiums are botanically risqué in that the pistil and stamens can easily extend outside the corona, leaving their pollen unprotected from the wind and the rain. The great majority bulbs of this division are thoroughly modern cultivars, arising from breeding programs from the 1990's into this century. We are fortunate to be able to offer a number of seedlings from the late Walter Blom who registered many bulbocodiums, although interest in this division is worldwide.
Most mention of bulbocodiums refer to the division as the "Hoop Petticoat" daffodil. Hackneyed as this expression is, we have never seen a hoop petticoat in the wild, nor a woman or even a man wearing one. The closest we can come to a sighting is the annual hoop race at Wellesley. We wholeheartedy support the sunsetting of this cliché along with the dreaded "daffodils are the harbingers of spring".
10 Y-Y
A new introduction, Arctic Bells is a bulbocodium from Walter Blom. It is classified as a Yellow-Yellow, but it is more of a white flower, in the way that White petticoat is white. We were surprised to see the seed parent is the perfect bloomer : Border Beauty, picture attached. Who would think of that ?
10 W-W
Here's a lively new bulbocodium introduction. Cup is lightly ribbed. She is not registered as such, but for the time being we are listing it as Ballroom Belle. It was acquired as Blom Hoop 2 - 146.
10 Y-Y
A most demure all yellow bulbocodium from Mr. Blom, Capella is reserved in that most of the sexual parts are tucked neatly within the cup. Soft color, nowhere near brassy, chaste form. Scented and long lasting.
10 Y-Y
A very small, all golden yellow Bulbocodium from Walter Blom.
10 Y-Y
This bulbocodium has very long petals, soft color and a bit of the petunia shape in the cup that is sought after by breeders and benchers. Extended stamens and stigma. Not registered.
10 Y-Y
A unique and beautiful bulbocodium from Walter Blom with an impossibly soft color. Delicate Design looks like a creature from the margins of a Hieronymus Bosch panel.
10 Y-Y
Mary Poppins is a platinum blonde with pale silver-yellow blooms that are tough and long lasting as a strict governess. Strong grower that can increase rapidly. Mary seems to tolerate Zone 6 but is probably happier in Zones 7 and 8. Dwarf and miniature
10 W-Y
It is hard to find a description of a bulbocodium that does not use the hackneyed term "whimsical", along with the appellation " Hoop Petticoats" which went out of style like a century before the demise of Poodle Skirts. Two thirds of all bulbocodiums registered have been registered in this century , the 21st.
This family of narcissus have a will to live and bloom against all odds. But their beauty comes also from being something primordial, na‘ve and completely impractical in design. For such a small little flower they are full of pathos and joy. Mitimoto was bred in Tasmania and was one of the first products of a new wave in Bulbocodium breeding. A lot of drama in a petite plant. An ADS Miniature.
10 Y-Y
The bulbocodium you will most likely find today in the commercial trade, Oxford Gold was widely adopted by large growers soon after its introduction,
Fulfills the copy editor's demand " I told you I wanted short and punchy."
A robust grower with an upright habit and full on chrome yellow color. Perhaps Oxford gets its virility and fragrance from its species Jonquil pollen parent. Probably not a miniature, makes a large bloom and plant for a 10.
10 W-W
Spoirot is a Bulbicodium from Tasmania that develops a clear, white color with some contrasting green in the tube. Seed fertile, several descendants. Name is an Agatha Christie reference - HerculeS Poirot,
10 Y-Y
A new Yellow Bulbicodium from Keira bulbs
