Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Thursday, August 23, 2012

How to be an overnight success - be a Daffodil

It takes twenty years to become an overnight success.  Eddie Cantor.

"Eddie Cantor (January 31, 1892 - October 10, 1964) was a comedian, singer, actor, songwriter, and one of the most popular entertainers in the United States of America in the early and middle 20th century. He was known to Broadway, Radio, and early television audiences as "the Apostle of Pep", and was considered "a member of the family" because of his intimate radio shows that involved stories and antics about his wife, Ida, and his five children."

Ok, what's that got to do with Daffodils?
 
Well, last week I had no Daffodils in my garden. Well, obviously I did. But none in flower.

The point is that, as with Eddie Cantor's early career, they were there, but invisible. Or more correctly, they just were not "standing out from the crowd".

We have had two warmish days in a row, in Robertson, and suddenly, the Daffodils are "In my Face".
Bright, golden, brassy and unable to be ignored.
Eddie Cantor would get the way they deliver their punchline.

The boldest of all are these tiny little Daffodils.

Daffodils "Tete a Tete"
They flower regularly
in time for Daffodil Day

A close up.
My "Tete a Tete" Daffodils do not flower as
multi-headed Daffs, as they are supposed to do.
They probably need a good feed, or to be 'divided"
A traditional golden and orange Daffodil
Nice and bright, but they do not increase well
J.T. Bennett Poe
a gorgeously elegant flower
Very fine, but subtle.

A cluster of these Daffodils
right beside my front path,
so I cannot "miss" them.
I bought most of my Daffodils from J.N. Hancock and Co 
My father recommended them to me, and seeing as they have been growing "Daffodils of Distinction" since 1917, that seems an entirely sensible thing to continue doing.
I am a traditionalist when it comes to supporting old family Nurseries.
There is too much change in the world.
Lets support people who know what they are doing, and who do it well.

6 comments:

mick said...

Beautiful! I love daffodils so thanks for a lovely bright start to my day!

Flabmeister said...

Most of the daffodils along our drive are still some weeks away from flowering. I suspect the coldness of last summer caused problems with them storing enough energy. One bunch near the house is out, but that is it.

We endorse your comments about Hancocks: great bulbs and great service.

Martin

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Mick.
Up early again, I see.
Windy here, so one would not be Kayaking in this weather.

Thanks for your comment.
Your cold climate origins are showing, Mick.

Happy to share my plants with you, and to enjoy your sub-tropical photos.

Cheers

Denis

Denis Wilson said...

Good Morning, Martin.
Nice to know there are others who appreciate the fine tradition of Hancocks Daffodils.
I am wondering how the Daffodil Farm beside the Highway, near Macks Reef Road is going these days.
They are high and cold and exposed there.
At least you have some Daffs out for Daffodil Day. But clearly the timing is set in Victoria where the bulk of Aussie Daffodils are grown. Around Menzies Hill and that area, in the Dandenongs.
Cheers
Denis

Brigid said...

Encouraging to hear your daffs are only just popping up. They have been in full bloom in Ballarat for some weeks. My jonquils are still not flowering. Bought them in small pots at a garage sale and planted them out into more spacious and wide terracotta pots. Could I have planted them out too late? My St Brigid's Anemones planted around the same time are beginning to flower. As of yesterday, three. Not used to bulb & corm growing in a very cold climate!

Denis Wilson said...

That's the problem of transplanting Queenslanders to cold climates.
Mind you as a Toowoomba girl, you OUGHT know a bit about how it all works.
I love bulbs, but don't bother with Anemones. They tend not to repeat flower (year on year) as well as Daffs.
But I should, as they are cheap as chips.
St Brigid Anemones are appropriate for your garden.
Denis