In some ways the Narcissus is easier to grow indoors than the Hyacinth.

There is nothing fresher than the scent of spring flowers that you have grown yourself and Narcissus and Daffodils can be ordered now then planted in September/October. Daffodils are available as Multifloras, Doubles (as above) and recommended miniatures: Jonquilla are a particular scented favourite of mine flowering 4″ to one foot high with names such as Pipit, Suzy, Sugar Bush, Baby Moon and Martinette, then there are Tete-a-tete which are dead easy if you leave them in the cool to develop good roots.

Growing Tips

• Grow in pots of bulb fibre with a deep root run and the nose level with the surface or the roots may push up the bulbs. Buy new bulbs each year and plant old stock in the garden.
• You need to mimic a three month winter’s nap in the cold for hardy daffodils to ripen their flower buds. Keep cool to allow roots to form and avoid excessive warmth as that inhibits flowering.
• Look for prepared bulbs specially supplied for forcing but keep in the cold until ready too flower.
• Water the pot when planting and keep moist when in flower.

Experiment with varieties available.
Daffodils requiring a shorter cold period are Monal, and Rijnveld’s Early Sensation.
Cyclamineus varieties are good for forcing.
Most of the early to mid-season miniatures are also good forcers.
Traditional favourites include Paperwhites and Cheerfulness.