Buried treasures!
Dazzling daffodils are a springtime sensation – and now is the time to pick your bulbs
IN 1919, Otto Augustus Taylor was unable to return to his job as a pharmacist in London after being gassed during the First World War. Encouraged by his family to start a new life in the countryside, Otto took advantage of a government scheme set up to provide plots of land to ex-servicemen.
Uprooting his wife and two children to Lincolnshire, he was handed the keys to a small house set in nine acres on the outskirts of Holbeach, a Fenland market town.
After a stint growing vegetables, Otto decided to specialise in cut flowers, producing daffodils and tulips to sell at market.
A century later, Taylor’s Bulbs i s now one of the best- known names in gardening, thanks to its large range of bulbs that are
sold in garden centres, nurseries and supermarkets.
The family-run company is even the official bulb supplier to the Queen, receiving her Royal warrant in 1985. The 1,700-acre bulb farm is especially known for its daffodils. In late summer, 3,000 tons of daff bulbs pass through its packing sheds before being distributed around Britain and Ireland.
At peak times, Taylor’s has more than 20 vehicles delivering bulbs to various retailers, nurseries and landscapers.
Daffodil bulbs are generally available to buy in shops from late summer, but in my opinion the soil is too dry for planting at this time, so I prefer to wait until early autumn.
Set them in damp ground before the first frosts arrive and they will establish roots readily, developing into vigorous plants that will flower their socks off.
Like all daffodil suppliers, Taylor’s divides its varieties into 13 groups, known as divisions, to make it easier for experts to identify. For example, Division 4 is home to double daffodils, while Division 8 is for tazettas, a bunch that bear several scented, small flowers on short, stocky stems.
‘Don’t worry too much about the daffodil classification system,’ advises Ian Clark, business manager at Taylor’s.
As the daffodil family has members that bloom from January and as l ate as May, he suggests going for those that flourish at the time you want and that possess flowers you find attractive.
Apart from offering many tried-and-tested varieties, Taylor’ s has just taken the wraps off two new ones for 2019. Flowering in early spring, ‘Red Start’ boasts snowy-white flowers with small cups edged in pinky-red, while ‘New Star’ bears large white flowers with lemon- yellow cups that appear on 16in stems in April.
Daffodils are incredibly versatile. Early- flowering types are ideal for naturalising in grass as they
IN FULL BLOOM:
A stunning display of daffodils, above. Below: The Fortune variety will die back before the mowing season starts, while taller ones are perfect for planting in casual drifts in beds and borders. Compact varieties can be grown in pots full of multi-purpose compost. Planting daffodil bulbs is easy. Dig holes with a trowel, making sure they are between two to three times the length of the bulb. They will sometimes rot if they sit in soggy clay soil over winter, so prevent this from happening by adding a layer of sharp grit to the base of planting holes. Place bulbs in t he hole, making sure the poi nt ed end is f aci ng upwards, and then twist the flat base gently into the soil. Crumble the removed earth over the bulb until the hole is full. Space individual bulbs 8in to 10in apart and get them off to a flying start by scattering bonemeal fertiliser across the planting area. If you want to naturalise t hem in l awns, avoid placing in a regimented fashion. Simply drop a handful of bulbs from waist height and plant where they land. Use a bulb planter to remove a core of soil, drop in a bulb and replace the cap of grass. Repeat in several areas for a great-looking display.
Plant before the first frosts and they’ll soon flower their socks off