Quick Guide: spring, hardy, full sun, height: 25-45cm/10-18in, width: 15cm/6in

Everyone can put a name to the cheerful daffodil, but few realize what an enormous number of species and hybrids are available. All bear six-petalled flowers with a trumpet-shaped central corona. Those with a corona as long as, or longer than, the petals are known as daffodils, the others as narcissi. The corona may be deeper in colour than the petals; both are usually a shade of yellow, but white, cream and pale pink varieties have been developed. Narcissi are divided into 11 groups, which include thousands of named varieties.

GROWING Plant bulbs in autumn in a hole three times the depth of the bulb, deeper if in a bed which will be cultivated through the year, where the hoe might damage the bulbs. Divide the clumps when overcrowded. Do not tie up the leaves after flowering.

PROPAGATION Lift the bulbs when the leaves are beginning to turn yellow. Remove and replant the offsets.

VARIETIES `Suzy' (above), jonquil type, pale yellow and orange; `Texas', double-flowered, yellow and deep orange; `Thalia', triandrus type, with several white, nodding flowers per stem.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Narcissus fly; stem eelwom; slugs.