Trumpet Daffodils
47 Cultivars Listed
The most recognizable form of the narcissus is the Trumpet, super pollen protectors defined as where the length of the cylindrical cup is longer than the length of the petals. Trumpets are among both the largest and the smallest of all daffodils.
N.pseudonarcissus happy, at home at altitude in the Pyrenees
In nature the precursors of the modern trumpet varieties are mostly from the section pseudonarcissus, including the subspecies alpestris, confusus, nobilis, major, moschatus, portensus , pseudonarcissus along with the other high altitude growing snooty species asturiensis.
These species are the most alpine growing of narcissus, commonly occurring around 500 meters or lower, but in the Pyrenees and Massif Central in France are happy and vigorous at 900 meters and above to nearly 2000 meters at the timberline.. The inclement weather at altitude has certainly influenced the form of the pseudo naricissus types: low slung, downward facing with long, narrow and deep cups to nestle the pollen-laden anthers inside high and dry. Rain is a pollen destroyer.
There something like 26 sub species within the pseudo narcissus group and to date a number of these have never been used for hybridizing in case you are looking for new horizons in narcissus.
While many species trumpet types are low slung, a few do stand up high. The towering stature of modern trumpets may also results from cross breeding with the lower altitude growing poeticus species.
What does this all of this mean for us ? That the trumpet types are the most cold hardy and among the earliest to bloom in the Spring across many climates.
N.pseudonarcissus , Massif Central , France.
While the descendants of other species sections enjoy their own divisions: Triandrus 5, Cyclamineus 6, Jonquila 7, Tazetta 8, Poeticus 9; the examples of psudo narcissus descendants are so broad and intermarried that they get thrown into the gene pool stew of trumpets and large cups hybrids. There is a population of large-cupped division daffodils that have a trumpet form with a lengthy cup, but their perianths are so corpulent so as to deny the cultivar true trumpet membership. Some times we use the term "near-trumpet" to on describe the the form of the cultivar and not the division.
1 W-W
Arguably the most successful daffodil breeder of all time, this miniature all-white trumpet is an encomium to Alec Gray. Stunningly well formed. A joy wherever he goes. Garden State bred.
1 W-W
Hands down our pick for a white miniature daffodil. Aviva from Leone Low, a charming small miniature with clear star perianth and trumpet Leone named this daffodil after the daughter of her maid of honor. Aviva is the Swahili word for life. ADS Miniature.
1 Y/W- P
Yellow and pink-cupped trumpets are a special, rarified group in the world of daffodils, highly sought after with most being showstoppers. Bronzewing is perhaps more sophisticated than the rest, a Brian Duncan bruiser with four inch blossoms and a corpulent cup. The petals have a fade to white at mid rib creating an even greater contrast with that big ole rich-pink cup. Not a back bencher.
1 W-W
Camborne is an Alec Gray miniature all-white trumpet. Registered posthumously. Long and frilly cup, matures to pure white. This is one to have in the rockery. Tiny little baroque thing. Used as a pollen parent with species cyclamineus. ADS miniature.
1 Y-W
A very substantial reverse bi-color, a daughter of Caribbean Snow, but a full and contrasty trumpet. Besides being stunning this seedling never throws a damaged bloom for us with lovely substance. Good on color, stem and substance. Ribbon winning candidate.
1 W-W
There is a lot to appreciate about Castle Howard : velvety substance, the linen white color, the sheer size and architecture of the bloom. Howie can be a handful to husband but in the end insanely rewarding. An imposing presence when fully unfurled on the bench.
1 Y-O
Being on the Cutting Edge implies on the vanguard, with a hint of danger. But this Clive Postles orange cupped trumpet easily makes a very large, well rounded bloom with not a knick, a cut or even razor burn. An impressive and dependable full colored bloom.
1 W-Y
A New Zealand bred stout and sturdy bi-colored trumpet. Doctor Bill is a descendant of the substantive POPS legacy.
1 W-W
Honey I shrunk the Trumpets! Alec Gray focused his miniaturization beam on most every division of daffodil. Elka is a perfectly formed white tiny-trumpet that will inspire a lot of bending and craning. She opens yellow but matures to all white. Elka is equally at home in the rockery or on the show bench program. Used in England for pot culture. Named for some daffodil ladies named Elizabeth and Kate. ADS miniature.
1 Y-Y
Some days we wonder what it would be to wander a garden made up exclusively of dwarf Walter Blom cultivars. The ivory trumpet Flower Child transports us to a baroque, enchanting world of child-like wonder and magic. We can think of so many ways to put the daff to work. Recent introduction, an ADS Intermediate.
1 YYW-WWY
A cross of two species pseudonarcissus, Gipsy Queen is a soft white and greenish-yellow miniature trumpet from Alec Gray. Queenie is a strong grower and commands attention in the bed, pot or on the bench. Because she blooms so early, we associate her reign with late spring snowfall, but given her lineage she should perform well further south. Alec Gray. ADS Miniature. ADS Classic.
1 W-W
A tiny all-white trumpet from Brian Duncan, Gipsy Vale is a cross ofObvallaris and Gipsy Queen. Coy, pugnacious and perfectly formed Gipsy Vale is a very good variety for competition.
1 Y-Y
For being a bit obscure we have moderate numbers of Habit, a golden trumpet of great substance. Habit has notable children, mostly Californian, each with fit and crisply-shaped petals.
1 Y-Y
Large and sunny, Hello Sunshine is a soft lemon colored behemoth of a trumpet from Carlos van der Veek. Perianth is ovate, shouldered and mucronate, the funnel-shaped cup is frilled and crenate. New Introduction, good supply available.
1 W-W
In Love, a new entry in the the van der Veek "Love" series, is a full on all-white trumpet with a perfect and cupped perianth. Like other trumpets and large cups from van der Veek this seedling is vigorous with a sturdy stem.
1 Y-Y
Descended from Camelot, Jump Start retains the family's good looks and even royal coloration. Four inch flowers, broad substantial perianth with a narrow waisted trumpet that flares to a frilly bell Jump Start is very tall and very early trumpet.
1 YYW-WWY
When you need a substantial reverse bi-color trumpet this one stands out. Lighthouse Reef is as contrasty, smooth and substantial as it gets. Ovate petals with a smooth substance overall. Perhaps we repeated ourselves but still not an overstatement.
1 Y-Y
It is not often that a yellow trumpet is found adjacent to the term Intermediate . But Little Alfred sports all of the trumpet flanged and notched cupped bling that you want, but with a "seen not heard" modesty that you like. Lovely color, form and detail. Increases. We think Little Alfred is a candidate for pot culture. ADS Intermediate.
1 Y-Y
A remarkably bright performer of the pseudo narcissus type. On first glance Little Spell might be mistaken for Gipsy Queen. Lovely little thing. Registered as a Yellow-Yellow, but how is this not a reverse bi-color ?
1 W-W
We just did a check and we have at one time or another listed a lot of John Gibson's Daffodils, maybe half of his lifetime registrations. Love to Dream a large all white trumpet with a certain amount of blingy attitude is very much in the vein of impressive English show flowers. Registered in 2026.
1 Y-Y
Prim and proper and a contender for the show bench. A head to head competitor Majestic Gold is a deep and evenly colored gold trumpet. A straightforward and balanced bloom.
1 W-WWY
We are running out of synonyms for ostentatious to describe Carlo's lovely seedlings. Superfly, fancy, fancy-pants, yes a fancy-pants trumpet, white until the frilly yellow corona's edge. Vigorous grower, not registered, new introduction in 2023.
1 W-W
Fabulous white trumpet with Hollywood star power. Nightflightis always ribbon material in color, substance and form. Limited.
1 Y-Y
Ombersley is a newer, large yellow trumpet of great substance and rich color. Equally at home on the bench or in the garden, it is named after a village in Worcestershire, England. Saucy.
1 Y-Y
Carlos' father Karel bred the groundbreakingly frilly and crenate cupped Dutch Crown. And Carlos did top his Pop one better in the well named trumpet Over the Top with more folds than an origami hippopotamus in an oh so sweet mango color. Has a scape like a dandy solicitor's walking stick.
1 Y-Y
A selection of species Asturiensis. Section pseudonarcissus. A primordial being with a formidable will to live. A tiny daffodil, so early, with purity in color and form. As this is a selection of a species, Carlos has named it Piccolini to differentiate. When this flower breaks free from the ground in early spring one's mood swells from hope to faith.
1 W-W
On some days Pledge looks like an all white species pseudonarcissus who was present at the Creation. It is hard to believe that he is actually a Gen X'er blessed with a carefree natural demeanor. Star shaped petals that are inflexed and twisted complement the flared trumpet. ADS Miniature
