The story of THE DAFFODIL

300BC GREEK ORIGINS The first record of narcissi appears in Greek philosopher Theophrastus’s Enquiry into Plants.

400AD ROMAN REMEDIES Romans transport narcissi bulbs to Britain, believing the sap has healing powers. (It’s actually an irritant.)

500-1500 EASTER TRADITIONS Due to their early flowering period, daffodils are associated with ‘rebirth’ and become a popular feature of Easter celebrations.

1600 WILDERNESS YEARS Cultivated gardens become popular but narcissi are considered too lowly to be included because they grow in the wild.

1800 IN VOGUE As an appreciation of the natural world becomes more fashionable, the daffodil experiences a surge in popularity. Botanists start to classify the varieties and it’s adopted as a symbol of Wales because it blooms on St David’s Day.

1900 JOBS FOR ALL Many areas of the countryside are dedicated to growing daffodils, providing employment for entire communities who box up the flowers to send them to the cities.

1939 THE DEMISE… The Second World War ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign leads to many ‘daffodil farms’ being rooted up to make room for vegetables.

2020s… AND THE RISE Our love affair continues with many 20th-century daffodil fields being re-established.