Bulbs: Early and late daffodils that perennialize well, 1 by tabasco

tabasco wrote:

Yes, in general they are considered 'early mid-season'. I suppose depending on what strain or variety you have they could bloom a bit earlier or later than the 'true' 'King Alfreds'.

Since most of the "King Alfreds' grown in Holland succumbed to a virus some years ago, a newer version of the yellow trumpet, "Marieke", has filled the market void, along with 'Carlton' and a few others. 'Marieke' is nice because its blooms are more upward facing and I believe they can be 'in bloom' for a longer period of time.

Here's the Brent and Becky page for trumpet daffodils. I see they aren't offering any "King Alfreds", although I think the true "King Alfred" is available at Old House Gardens.

http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/spring/search/search.php?...

The bags of KA bulbs offered at the garden centers are often unregisteredd strains of yellow trumpet daffs--a very inexpensive and good alternative for bright plantings along driveways, etc. Especially if the area gets a lot of sun and good drainage.

Although, one caveat on those-- I have read critiques from daffodillers in the UK (and the US) complaining that the big yellow trumpets don't look 'natural' and a more restrained variety should be used. In America I think they a great spring show, though. We are a big blousey country and need a big blousey daffodil to fill the voids!

So that's all I've read/know about the King Alfred! I'm no expert on daffs but I like to read about them and I plant a few!