Blooming Narcissus 'Martha Stewart'

April 19, 2017

The ‘Martha Stewart’ daffodils are blooming at the farm.

Underneath the majestic pin oaks in the allee, and the stand of weeping willows, is a relatively new variety of Narcissi named after me by Van Engelen Inc., a wholesale flower bulb company in Bantam, Connecticut. Narcissus ‘Martha Stewart’ is a Karel van der Veek hybrid with a three-inch white perianth surrounding a pale yellow cup. In full bloom, these flowers grow to about 16 to 18 inches tall, and look stunning against my luscious green lawns. In fact, all the daffodils at the farm are blooming so nicely this year.

Here are some photos - enjoy.

: Van Engelen Inc., knew my passion for Narcissi, and named a daffodil variety after me a few years ago – Narcissus ‘Martha Stewart’. http://www.vanengelen.com/narcissus-martha-stewart.html

: When I first received the ‘Martha Stewart’ daffodil bulbs, we planted them under six weeping willow trees at the end of the Pin Oak Allee behind my Equipment Barn.

: After blooming so beautifully, we planted more bulbs under the great pin oaks.

: We also planted some under this weeping larch tree at the end of the Pin Oak Allee.

: This is how they looked just a couple weeks ago.

: The flowers took their time developing – some a little longer than others.

: The flowers came to life a little more each day.

: Bulbs should be planted where there is full sun or part shade. Most tolerate a range of soil types, but will grow best in moderate, well-drained soil.

: The daffodils in the willow grove were the first to open.

: The blooms show the distinct perfectly formed three-inch white perianth surrounded by the pale, yellow cup.

: These ‘Martha Stewart’ daffodils opened very nicely.

: This week, the stems appear erect, and the colors so vibrant.

: Daffodils tend to resist deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and other pests. Most of them do not enjoy the taste of bulbs in the Narcissi family.

: Commonly, Narcissi are referred to as daffodils or as jonquils – these are so alert.

: The flowers all have frilled cups edged in bright apricot-pink. The leaves and stems look healthy.

: The ‘Martha Stewart’ variety is a prized Karel van der Veek hybrid. Van der Veek was a world-renowned daffodil hybridizer.

: Daffodils contain a toxic sap that’s harmful to other flowers. When cutting daffodils for arrangements, don’t mix them unless the daffodils have been soaking in water for 24-hours.

: Here is a perfect specimen of a Narcissus ‘Martha Stewart’.

: The Pin Oak Allee looks so beautiful with all the delicate daffodils planted below.

: The daffodil is the 10th wedding anniversary flower. It accompanies tin and aluminum as the traditional gift. The gemstone for this special anniversary year is the diamond.

: Now, all the flowers are at their peak.

: Narcissus multiply naturally, so every year, these flowers will fill more and more of the pits around the trees. There are definitely more this year than last.

: In the dappled sun, they show their buttercream petals and bright apricot-pink edges.

: Narcissus bulbs follow an annual cycle, which includes the chilling time, flowering period, and a phase of rest and recuperation while the bulb gathers strength to produce a flower the next year. This period starts as soon as the flower fades.

: Depending on the type of cultivar and where it was planted, the daffodil’s flowering season can last from about six weeks to about six months. After blooming, the leaves stay green while the daffodil plant rebuilds its bulb for the next year.

: Daffodils are among the easiest flowers to grow and are ideal for novice gardeners in most regions of the United States.

: Narcissi are hardy from zones 2 through 9. There are 13-classes of daffodil, more than 40-species, and thousands of cultivars, now including this one, ‘Martha Stewart’.

: These flowers are all reliable bloomers and can continue to produce each spring for decades. Visit the Van Engelen web site to order some of your own.