YELLOW FEVER' A PROSPECT HE HSTORY CULTURE OF DAFFODILS DAVID WILLIS
‘YELLOW FEVER’ A PROSPECT OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF DAFFODILS DAVID WILLIS
Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIST OF FIGURES …14 LIST OF PLATES. .15 FOREWORD... CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION. 10 CHAPTER 2 THE DAFFODIL IN HISTORY 22 ce and Egyp China and its Sa cred Lily.. emish Wea rs and Hugue not Refuge In the Gardens of Mainland Europe. The aff ew Zealand. United States of America. CHAPTER 3 THE DAFFODIL IN LTERATURE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE VICTORIAN HYBRIDISTS. .32 CHAPTER 4 DAFFODIL CLASSIFICATION..... .37 d List of Daffodil Names and Register CHAPTER 5 WILD DAFFODILS AND THEIR ROLE IN CREATING CULTIVARS .47 SECTION Taneinanthus SECTION Serotini SECTION Jonquillo SECTION Bulbo fodil in 15th Century Mainland Europe The bota Th mily. rly deve mment of double-flowered cultivars 113 The S atieieids3hnd-Ro warne Experimental Horticulture Station,Camborne,Cornwall.. of wand and ford (189 1978 James Coey(1863-1921 124
5 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................................................11 LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................................................................14 LIST OF PLATES...................................................................................................................................................................15 FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................................................................18 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................19 CHAPTER 2 THE DAFFODIL IN HISTORY ..............................................................................................................................22 Ancient Greece and Egypt...............................................................................................................................................................22 The Mughals and Islam ...................................................................................................................................................................22 China and its Sacred Lily..................................................................................................................................................................23 Into Northern Europe......................................................................................................................................................................23 Flemish Weavers and Huguenot Refugees......................................................................................................................................24 In the Gardens of Mainland Europe................................................................................................................................................25 Gerard, Tradescant and Parkinson..................................................................................................................................................25 19th Century Daffodil Hunters........................................................................................................................................................26 The Daffodil in the Landscape.........................................................................................................................................................27 The Spread of Interest Overseas.....................................................................................................................................................29 Australia and New Zealand .............................................................................................................................................................30 United States of America ................................................................................................................................................................30 CHAPTER 3 THE DAFFODIL IN LITERATURE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE VICTORIAN HYBRIDISTS.....................................32 CHAPTER 4 DAFFODIL CLASSIFICATION..............................................................................................................................37 The Classified List of Daffodil Names and the International Register .............................................................................................42 Awards to Daffodils.........................................................................................................................................................................43 CHAPTER 5 WILD DAFFODILS AND THEIR ROLE IN CREATING CULTIVARS..........................................................................47 SECTION Tapeinanthus....................................................................................................................................................................57 SECTION Serotini .............................................................................................................................................................................57 SECTION Tazettae ...........................................................................................................................................................................58 SECTION Narcissus..........................................................................................................................................................................62 SECTION Jonquilla ...........................................................................................................................................................................65 SECTION Apodanthi.........................................................................................................................................................................68 SECTION Ganymedes.......................................................................................................................................................................70 SECTION Bulbocodium ....................................................................................................................................................................71 SECTION Pseudonarcissus...............................................................................................................................................................74 Intersectional Hybrids.....................................................................................................................................................................80 The Daffodil in 15th Century Mainland Europe ............................................................................................................................101 England .........................................................................................................................................................................................101 In the beginning.......................................................................................................................................................................101 Enthusiasts of the early 19th century ......................................................................................................................................102 The clergy lend a hand.............................................................................................................................................................104 The botanists ...........................................................................................................................................................................106 The ‘King of Daffodils’..............................................................................................................................................................107 The Backhouses .......................................................................................................................................................................108 The Williams’ family.................................................................................................................................................................110 One to remember....................................................................................................................................................................111 The early development of double-flowered cultivars..............................................................................................................113 Small is beautiful......................................................................................................................................................................113 Other recent hybridists in England ..........................................................................................................................................114 The State lends a hand – Rosewarne Experimental Horticulture Station, Camborne, Cornwall .............................................116 Hybridists, Botanists and Enthusiasts in Ireland ......................................................................................................................117 The Richardsons of Waterford (1890-1978) ............................................................................................................................120 James Coey (1863-1921...........................................................................................................................................................124
In the The Nether ates of America. CHAPTER 9 THE YELLOW DAFFODILS. 137 3? Guy W on's Ye low Trumpet al Yellow Trumn of the 1950s 14 Modern Yell w Trumpet 14 dk1980-2010 Ihe small-cupped yellow 15 CHAPTER 10 THE WHITE DAFFODILS The Wild White mpets. White rum The Large Cupped Whites 6 rtant early whit again nedenarge 66 The small-cupped W ites Other cultivars (1920-1960). CHAPTER 11 THE BICOLORS 181 88 he。 umpet bicolor -cup The Bicolors (W-Y),9-010. 18 CHAPTER 12 THE REVERSE BICOLORS. The Role of Narcissus triandrus .194 utivars spebn8p5 9 80-2010. -cupped reverse bicolors The small-cupped reverse bicolors. .198 6
6 In the ‘footsteps’ of Guy Wilson ..............................................................................................................................................125 Scotland and Wales.......................................................................................................................................................................128 The Netherlands............................................................................................................................................................................130 Other Dutch Hybridists............................................................................................................................................................130 Portugal.........................................................................................................................................................................................131 Australasia.....................................................................................................................................................................................131 United States of America ..............................................................................................................................................................132 CHAPTER 9 THE YELLOW DAFFODILS................................................................................................................................137 The Trinity College Maximus.........................................................................................................................................................137 Early Developments Outside Ireland.............................................................................................................................................139 Guy Wilson’s Yellow Trumpets......................................................................................................................................................141 J. Lionel Richardson’s Yellow Trumpets ........................................................................................................................................142 Commercial Yellow Trumpets of the 1950s ..................................................................................................................................144 Modern Yellow Trumpets .............................................................................................................................................................145 The Large-Cupped Yellows............................................................................................................................................................146 The Small-Cupped Yellows............................................................................................................................................................148 The Yellow Daffodils 1980-2010 ...................................................................................................................................................149 The yellow trumpets................................................................................................................................................................149 The large-cupped yellows........................................................................................................................................................149 The small-cupped yellows........................................................................................................................................................150 CHAPTER 10 THE WHITE DAFFODILS ................................................................................................................................154 The Wild White Trumpets.............................................................................................................................................................154 Important Early Cultivars ..............................................................................................................................................................154 Guy Wilson’s White Trumpet Daffodils.........................................................................................................................................156 ‘Kanchenjunga’ and the Giant Whites...........................................................................................................................................157 Modern White Trumpets..............................................................................................................................................................162 The Large-Cupped Whites.............................................................................................................................................................163 The Leedsiis .............................................................................................................................................................................163 Other important early whites..................................................................................................................................................164 Guy Wilson again .....................................................................................................................................................................165 Other Irish cultivars .................................................................................................................................................................167 Some modern large-cupped whites.........................................................................................................................................167 The Small-cupped Whites .............................................................................................................................................................169 Guy Wilson’s cultivars..............................................................................................................................................................169 Other cultivars (1920-1960).....................................................................................................................................................170 Modern cultivars......................................................................................................................................................................170 White Daffodils 1980-2010 ...........................................................................................................................................................171 CHAPTER 11 THE BICOLORS .......................................................................................................................................181 Early Bicolor Cultivars ...................................................................................................................................................................181 20th Century Bicolors....................................................................................................................................................................182 The trumpet bicolors...............................................................................................................................................................183 The large-cupped bicolors .......................................................................................................................................................186 The small-cupped bicolors.......................................................................................................................................................188 Bicolors (W-Y), 1980-2010 ............................................................................................................................................................189 CHAPTER 12 THE REVERSE BICOLORS...............................................................................................................................194 The Role of Narcissus triandrus.....................................................................................................................................................194 The Reverse Bicolor Cultivars........................................................................................................................................................194 A Remarkable Journey ..................................................................................................................................................................196 ‘Spellbinder’ ..................................................................................................................................................................................196 The American Reverse Bicolor Cultivars .......................................................................................................................................197 Some Other Modern Reverse Bicolor Cultivars.............................................................................................................................197 Reverse Bicolors (Y-W), 1980-2010...............................................................................................................................................198 The trumpet reverse bicolors ..................................................................................................................................................198 The large-cupped reverse bicolors...........................................................................................................................................198 The small-cupped reverse bicolors..........................................................................................................................................198
CHAPTER 13 THE DOUBLE DAFFODILS Double Daffodils in History. .202 the Waterford Double In Lionel's Footstep ecent Advance Double Daffodils 1980-2010. 212 CHAPTER 14 THE PINK DAFFODILS …218 The Spe ies Daffodils and Pink .218 Ongins of Pi nd of the Modern Pinks. Austr s1930-194 948-1960 42 MrsJ.Lionel Richardson 1961-1973 The trumpet pinks (W-P) pet pinks (Y-P) ) The arge -cupped pinks(Y-P) 33 CHAPTER 15 THE WHITE AND ORANGE/RED DAFFODILS.. 237 nEaiakclnaoon ed Cultivars ge/Red Daffodil Other Recent Whiteand Orange/Red Cultivars.. WhtdW-OR The large-cupped orange/red daffodils (2W-YYO/R) 4 The W-YYO CHAPTER 16 THE YELLOW AND ORANGE/RED DAFFODILS 252 25 ars 'Fortune'-The Magnificent ford Flowers Guy L.Wils on's Yellow and Red Daffodils. Some Other Notable Wilson Cultivars. .B.Lea ds1980-2010 66
7 CHAPTER 13 THE DOUBLE DAFFODILS..............................................................................................................................202 Double Daffodils in History ...........................................................................................................................................................202 The Early Garden Hybrids..............................................................................................................................................................208 J. Lionel Richardson and the Waterford Doubles..........................................................................................................................208 In Lionel’s Footsteps .....................................................................................................................................................................212 Recent Advances in Pink Doubles in Ireland .................................................................................................................................212 Other Important Modern Doubles................................................................................................................................................213 Double Daffodils 1980-2010 .........................................................................................................................................................214 CHAPTER 14 THE PINK DAFFODILS ...................................................................................................................................218 The Species Daffodils and Pink......................................................................................................................................................218 The Early Cultivars and Possible Origins of Pink............................................................................................................................218 Origins of the Pink Colouration in ‘Apricot’ .............................................................................................................................219 Background of the Modern Pinks..................................................................................................................................................220 Pink Daffodils in Australia .............................................................................................................................................................222 Science Helps Solve the Mystery...................................................................................................................................................223 Early Irish Pink Daffodils 1930-1947..............................................................................................................................................224 The Work of J. Lionel Richardson 1948-1960................................................................................................................................224 Guy Wilson’s Pink Daffodils...........................................................................................................................................................226 Mrs J. Lionel Richardson 1961-1973 .............................................................................................................................................227 Some Recent Pinks........................................................................................................................................................................227 The trumpet pinks (W-P) .........................................................................................................................................................228 The trumpet pinks (Y-P)...........................................................................................................................................................228 The large-cupped pinks (W-P)..................................................................................................................................................229 The large-cupped pinks (Y-P) ...................................................................................................................................................229 The small-cupped pinks (Y-P)...................................................................................................................................................229 Major Events in the History of Daffodils with Pink Coronas .........................................................................................................230 CHAPTER 15 THE WHITE AND ORANGE/RED DAFFODILS..................................................................................................237 Influential Early Cultivars ..............................................................................................................................................................237 The Early Work of J.L. Richardson .................................................................................................................................................239 The ‘Kilworth’ and ‘Arbar’ Cross ...................................................................................................................................................240 Other Important Richardson Cultivars..........................................................................................................................................243 Guy L. Wilson’s Rimmed Cultivars.................................................................................................................................................243 Other Irish-raised Cultivars ...........................................................................................................................................................244 Lea’s White and Orange/Red Daffodils.........................................................................................................................................245 Other Recent White and Orange/Red Cultivars............................................................................................................................246 White and Orange/Red Daffodils 1980-2010................................................................................................................................247 The large-cupped orange/red daffodils (2W-O/R)...................................................................................................................247 The large-cupped orange/red daffodils (2W-YYO/R)...............................................................................................................247 The small-cupped orange/red daffodils (3W-O/R) ..................................................................................................................247 The small-cupped orange/red daffodils (2W-YYO/R)...............................................................................................................247 CHAPTER 16 THE YELLOW AND ORANGE/RED DAFFODILS ...............................................................................................252 Beginnings.....................................................................................................................................................................................252 Early Cultivars ...............................................................................................................................................................................252 P.D. and J.C. Williams....................................................................................................................................................................253 Miss G. Evelyn’s Famous Trio........................................................................................................................................................254 ‘Fortune’ – The Magnificent..........................................................................................................................................................255 In ‘The Far North’ ..........................................................................................................................................................................256 The Waterford Flowers.................................................................................................................................................................257 Guy L. Wilson’s Yellow and Red Daffodils.....................................................................................................................................259 The ‘Armada’ Story .......................................................................................................................................................................260 Some Other Notable Wilson Cultivars...........................................................................................................................................262 J.S.B. Lea........................................................................................................................................................................................263 Other Recent Cultivars..................................................................................................................................................................264 Rimmed is Beautiful ......................................................................................................................................................................265 Flowers of Ever Deeper Colour .....................................................................................................................................................265 Yellow and Orange/Red Daffodils 1980-2010...............................................................................................................................266
rumpet/red daffodils (1Y-O/R The large -cupped yellowand range/red daffodils (-YYOR) 36 CHAPTER 17 THE POETICUS CULTIVARS 273 Some Other Early Poeticus Hybrids ticus Hvbrids Poeticus Cultivars 1980-2010.. .274 CHAPTER 18 SOME OTHER HYBRIDS OF GARDEN ORIGIN.76 Division 5-The Triandrus Hybrids. 219 Dvhetrian uscultivars affodils of Garden Origin yclamineus ot G CHAPTER 19 DIVISIONS 10(BULBOCOD/UM CVS)AND 12(MISCELLANEOUS DAFFODILS). .296 CHAPTER 20 DIVISION 11-SPLIT CORONA DAFFODILS .300 CHAPTER 21 HYBRIDISATION. 305 A Brief ntroduction to the History of Plant Bree ding 305 y to Hybridise Aid to Hybr election c seedlings of success? Loo 31 CHAPTER 22 PROPAGATION .325 ReasUeetgeieproacton Cross-cutting and scooping. Colchicine and the Inducement of Polyploid Forms ACautionary Note on the Use of Chemicals .332 CHAPTER 23 GROWING DAFFODILS .336 Naturalised Daffodils 3 Daffodils in Borders and Rock Gardens conse dthe Historic Colections Field Produc of Cut Flowers rage of bulbs 34 lower Bu Retardati Shift
8 The trumpet yellow and orange/red daffodils (1Y-O/R)..........................................................................................................266 The large-cupped yellow and orange/red daffodils (2Y-O/R)..................................................................................................267 The large-cupped yellow and orange/red daffodils (2Y-YYO/R) ..............................................................................................267 The small-cupped yellow and orange/red daffodils (3Y-O/R)..................................................................................................267 The small-cupped yellow and orange/red daffodils (3Y-YYO/R)..............................................................................................267 CHAPTER 17 THE POETICUS CULTIVARS ...........................................................................................................................272 The Early Cultivars of Engleheart ..................................................................................................................................................273 Some Other Early Poeticus Hybrids...............................................................................................................................................273 ‘Cantabile’ .....................................................................................................................................................................................274 Modern Poeticus Hybrids..............................................................................................................................................................274 Poeticus Cultivars 1980-2010........................................................................................................................................................274 CHAPTER 18 SOME OTHER HYBRIDS OF GARDEN ORIGIN ................................................................................................276 Division 5 – The Triandrus Hybrids................................................................................................................................................276 The triandrus cultivars.............................................................................................................................................................277 Divison 6 – Cyclamineus Daffodils of Garden Origin .....................................................................................................................278 The cyclamineus cultivars........................................................................................................................................................278 Division 7 – Jonquil Daffodils of Garden Origin.............................................................................................................................280 Division 8 - Tazetta Daffodils of Garden Origin.............................................................................................................................282 CHAPTER 19 DIVISIONS 10 (BULBOCODIUM CVS) AND 12 (MISCELLANEOUS DAFFODILS)................................................296 CHAPTER 20 DIVISION 11 – SPLIT CORONA DAFFODILS....................................................................................................300 CHAPTER 21 HYBRIDISATION...........................................................................................................................................305 A Brief Introduction to the History of Plant Breeding ...................................................................................................................305 Chromosome Number and the Ability to Hybridise ......................................................................................................................305 Plant Manipulation as an Aid to Hybridisation..............................................................................................................................310 Mutations......................................................................................................................................................................................310 Induced mutations...................................................................................................................................................................311 Practical Aspects of Hybridisation.................................................................................................................................................312 Selection of seedlings ..............................................................................................................................................................313 What are the chances of success? ...........................................................................................................................................314 Looking into the Future.................................................................................................................................................................314 Hybridisation Records...................................................................................................................................................................318 Recording Cultivars.......................................................................................................................................................................319 CHAPTER 22 PROPAGATION ............................................................................................................................................325 Propagation by Seed .....................................................................................................................................................................325 Natural Vegetative Reproduction .................................................................................................................................................326 Cross-cutting and Scooping...........................................................................................................................................................326 Twin-scaling ..................................................................................................................................................................................327 Colchicine and the Inducement of Polyploid Forms......................................................................................................................329 Chipping ........................................................................................................................................................................................329 Micro-propagation........................................................................................................................................................................331 A Cautionary Note on the Use of Chemicals.................................................................................................................................332 CHAPTER 23 GROWING DAFFODILS .................................................................................................................................336 Naturalised Daffodils.....................................................................................................................................................................336 Daffodils in Borders and Rock Gardens.........................................................................................................................................338 Bulbs in Pots..................................................................................................................................................................................338 Conservation and the Historic Collections....................................................................................................................................339 Field Production of Cut Flowers....................................................................................................................................................340 Harvesting the Flowers .................................................................................................................................................................342 Lifting and Storage of Bulbs ..........................................................................................................................................................342 Flower Forcing...............................................................................................................................................................................343 Daffodil Bulb Production...............................................................................................................................................................346 Bulb Retardation ...........................................................................................................................................................................350 The Influence of Hemisphere Shift on Flowering ..........................................................................................................................350
Flower Storage Technique 351 CHAPTER 24 SHOWING DAFFODILS .356 55 Texture and substance. Stem P for show 359 Staging the Exhibit 566 CHAPTER 25 PESTS AND DISEASES OF NARCISSI. 369 The Large Narissus Fly 379 he Sn cissus F Bub5aeMeNars Fungal dis ases... Root ROt. The virus disea Narcissus White Streak Narcissus Latent Virus Narcissus Late Season Yellows M irus. edd by 38 Other Viruse 388 CHAPTER 26 WEED CONTROL.... 39g The ama 39 393 CHAPTER 27 POSTSCRIPT 398 Coming Full Circle.. 40 BIBLIOGRAPHY.. 401
9 Flower Storage Techniques...........................................................................................................................................................351 CHAPTER 24 SHOWING DAFFODILS..................................................................................................................................356 Growing for Shows........................................................................................................................................................................356 Selecting Show Blooms.................................................................................................................................................................357 Condition .................................................................................................................................................................................357 Form ........................................................................................................................................................................................358 Colour ......................................................................................................................................................................................358 Texture and substance.............................................................................................................................................................358 Poise ........................................................................................................................................................................................358 Stem.........................................................................................................................................................................................358 Summary..................................................................................................................................................................................358 Packing Flowers for Show .............................................................................................................................................................359 Staging the Exhibit ........................................................................................................................................................................359 Judging ..........................................................................................................................................................................................360 Miniature Daffodils.......................................................................................................................................................................362 Top Show Cultivars During the 1980s ...........................................................................................................................................362 Price Limit Classes.........................................................................................................................................................................363 CHAPTER 25 PESTS AND DISEASES OF NARCISSI...............................................................................................................369 The Pests of Narcissus...................................................................................................................................................................369 The Narcissus Flies...................................................................................................................................................................369 The Large Narcissus Fly.......................................................................................................................................................370 The Small Narcissus Flies....................................................................................................................................................370 Controlling Narcissus Flies..................................................................................................................................................371 Bulb Scale Mite ........................................................................................................................................................................371 The Stem and Bulb Eelworm....................................................................................................................................................372 Other pests of Narcissus..........................................................................................................................................................376 Fungal diseases........................................................................................................................................................................378 Basal Rot.............................................................................................................................................................................378 Root Rot..............................................................................................................................................................................381 Leaf Scorch .........................................................................................................................................................................382 White Mould ......................................................................................................................................................................383 Smoulder ............................................................................................................................................................................383 White Root Rot...................................................................................................................................................................384 Miscellaneous fungi............................................................................................................................................................384 The virus diseases of daffodils.................................................................................................................................................385 Narcissus Yellow Stripe.......................................................................................................................................................385 Narcissus White Streak.......................................................................................................................................................385 Narcissus Latent Virus ........................................................................................................................................................386 Narcissus Degeneration Virus.............................................................................................................................................386 Narcissus Late Season Yellows............................................................................................................................................386 Cucumber Mosaic Virus......................................................................................................................................................386 Broad Bean Wilt Virus.........................................................................................................................................................386 Onion Yellow Dwarf Virus...................................................................................................................................................386 Control of viruses spread by ....................................................................................................................................................386 Eelworm Transmitted Viruses..................................................................................................................................................386 Other Viruses...........................................................................................................................................................................387 Non-Parasitic Disorders.................................................................................................................................................................388 Pesticide Availability in the Early 21st Century .............................................................................................................................388 CHAPTER 26 WEED CONTROL...........................................................................................................................................393 The Amateur Gardener and Weed Control in Bulbs .....................................................................................................................393 Weed Control for the Professional Grower...................................................................................................................................393 CHAPTER 27 POSTSCRIPT .................................................................................................................................................398 Coming Full Circle..........................................................................................................................................................................400 BIBLIOGRAPHY.................................................................................................................................................................401
NARCISSUS SPECIES AND INTERSECTIONAL HYBRIDS .…407 GENERAL INDEX. …420 10
10 NARCISSUS SPECIES AND INTERSECTIONAL HYBRIDS .......................................................................................................407 NARCISSUS CULTIVARS ....................................................................................................................................................409 GENERAL INDEX...............................................................................................................................................................420
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The idea for this book developed from a research thesis completed in the early 1980s,the inspiration for Whtdrdafenvironment of Northem ireland werelved at that me rland is sceped in af ha s given birth to some of the flower's greate: advocates in Hartland ilson and the y be that it was an echo om thi fodil history,following a 's old home f the T hat d a He Garden.which provided the initial spur.In this garden were to be found the aspirations and achievements of several of Ireland's greatest plant breeders whose work has revolutionised our concept of daffodil cultivars. But,of course,people around me at that time also played a part in this story.Professor Alan Sharp,with seph Lec or Peter Roet key from ne (N vers helped mo into reality.I te set Guy Wils n's breed I had access to those tha Members of the Wilson family including Professor Fergus B.Wilson,Connor A.Wilson and Miss Veronica Hall committed their reminiscences to paper and supplied correspondence,photographs and documents. John Shaw,who for 40 years was Wilson's right-hand man,spent several days talking about those wonderful years at 'The Knockan'and also visited the University w we discussed and enjoyed the ves'work d,w had the pleasure th the F ot time.Mrs H.K.R ha n gave me a set 0: iend of ide ided in bundance by the more recent daffodil frater mity in Northern Ireland from which happy band I must single out Kate Reade,Brian Duncan and Sir Frank Harrison. Information on James Coey was provided by Dr E.Charles Nelson,formerly of the National Botanic Garden,Dublin,his source being Mrs Maureen Close of the Lamne and District Folklore Society. In England,much nd.in advice and this work over a considerable searched the Societyrchive to comeuphawerstoall ofmyr riod of time.He has painstakingly uent questions and took on the task of editing the final draft.Without his great personal knowledge of daffodils and his enthusiasm for them,this project would have been difficult. e been helpful over the years including Dr Peter Brandham,Dr n, but the hut 1 Roty.In t al Horticultu ded she it.athic point sheed foudoth and compet the work that she had begun Mention must also be made of several libraries without the help of which the referencing of this work would not have been possible.Special thanks are therefore due to the Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Library,the British Library and the library at the Royal ocmorton and Drvan Scheepen sent much useful did M ofth International Throck entre owledged c of s Michael Saln nost of the recent bre ders based in Nor hern Ireland (p
11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The idea for this book developed from a research thesis completed in the early 1980s, the inspiration for which came from the ‘daffodilly’ environment of Northern Ireland where I lived at that time. Ireland is steeped in daffodil history and has given birth to some of the flower’s greatest advocates in Hartland, Wilson and the Richardsons. I firmly believe that it was an echo from this daffodil history, following a visit to Wilson’s old home at The Knockan, linked to the joy of working with his daffodils during my curatorship of the Guy L. Wilson Daffodil Garden at The (New) University of Ulster that was designated a National Collection and a Heritage Garden, which provided the initial spur. In this garden were to be found the aspirations and achievements of several of Ireland’s greatest plant breeders whose work has revolutionised our concept of daffodil cultivars. But, of course, people around me at that time also played a part in this story. Professor Alan Sharp, with whom I first discussed the idea, gave much encouragement, and Professor Peter Roebuck, Professor Brian S. Rushton and Joseph Leckey from The (New) University of Ulster helped mould the idea into reality. Dick de Jager loaned the complete set of Guy Wilson’s breeding records and notes and, later, I had access to those that logged Lionel Richardson’s half-century of progress and also those of Brian Duncan. Members of the Wilson family including Professor Fergus B. Wilson, Connor A. Wilson and Miss Veronica Hall committed their reminiscences to paper and supplied correspondence, photographs and documents. John Shaw, who for 40 years was Wilson’s right-hand man, spent several days talking about those wonderful years at ‘The Knockan’ and also visited the University where we discussed and enjoyed the products of their lives’ work. Later, I travelled to Waterford, where I had the pleasure of long discussions with Jack Goldsmith whose work with the Richardsons spanned a similar period of time. Mrs H.K. Richardson gave me a set of catalogues dating from 1923 to 1973 while James Bankhead, a contemporary of Guy Wilson and a close friend of W.J. Dunlop, also provided much information and many old catalogues. Help and assistance was provided in abundance by the more recent daffodil fraternity in Northern Ireland from which happy band I must single out Kate Reade, Brian Duncan and Sir Frank Harrison. Information on James Coey was provided by Dr E. Charles Nelson, formerly of the National Botanic Garden, Dublin, his source being Mrs Maureen Close of the Larne and District Folklore Society. In England, much encouragement came from Professor W.T. Stearn during the early stages of this project and, in more recent times, from Jan Dalton of The Daffodil Society who has provided an enormous amount of advice and put a great deal of effort into this work over a considerable period of time. He has painstakingly searched the Society’s archive to come up with answers to all of my frequent questions and took on the task of editing the final draft. Without his great personal knowledge of daffodils and his enthusiasm for them, this project would have been difficult. Many others have been helpful over the years including Dr Peter Brandham, Dr Philip Orton, George Tarry, Michael Salmon, Clive Postles, Caroline Thompson, Sue Johnson, Christine and Ian Brookes and last, but by no means least, Barbara Fry. In fact, it was Barbara who had already embarked on a project similar to this in the 1980s, but on leaving Rosewarne Experimental Horticulture Station decided she was unable to carry on with it, at which point she asked if I would continue with and complete the work that she had begun. Mention must also be made of several libraries without the help of which the referencing of this work would not have been possible. Special thanks are therefore due to the Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Library, the British Library and the library at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. From overseas, Dr Tom Throckmorton and Dr J. van Scheepen sent much useful material as did Mr F. Doerflinger of the International Flowerbulb Centre. Photographs not specifically acknowledged came from a variety of sources, Michael Salmon (most of the species photographs), the late George Tarry, recent breeders based in Northern Ireland (particularly Brian Duncan
and Kate Re In 1985,I left Ireland and settled in Yorkshir d that the ec cho of the Yorkhire thatRhyrto the Hr history o ndale London from 1805-1816,saw the enigmatic Narcissus triandrus var.pulchellus growing during the late 18th century.It was Yorkshire that gave birth to A.H.Haworth who wrote the first monograph on daffodils in 1831.At the village of Spofforth,near Harrogate,the Revd William Herbert experimented with hybridising species daffodils and aised what was probably the first man- Spofforthiae Baker who did so much to popularise the dar late 19th century so the echoes from the past and the inspiration that the rovide continue to follow me and will,as time passes,affict others with the delightful condition known asYellow Fever My sincere thanks are due to the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust,which through its then Director,the recentlytheTrust through itsrr. thanks go to those who have edited my original material with nd te involving -sometimes on several occasions.They are Professor Brian S.Rushton.Professor Peter Roebuck,Dr Philip Orton and Jan Dalton.Lastly,a huge debt of gratitude is due to Jennifer Rushton who over many months converted the rough typed draft into its digital fineness. David Willis,May 2012 12
12 and Kate Reade), the Daffodil Society archive and my own collection. Other photographs were taken from material in the collection of paintings, drawings and letters held at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1985, I left Northern Ireland and settled in Yorkshire and soon discovered that the echo of the past history of daffodils was still with me there in the unforgettable wild daffodils of Farndale, planted by monks many centuries before. It was in Yorkshire that Richard Anthony Salisbury, secretary to the Horticultural Society of London from 1805-1816, saw the enigmatic Narcissus triandrus var. pulchellus growing during the late 18th century. It was Yorkshire that gave birth to A.H. Haworth who wrote the first monograph on daffodils in 1831. At the village of Spofforth, near Harrogate, the Revd William Herbert experimented with hybridising species daffodils and raised what was probably the first man-made hybrid, appropriately named Narcissus ‘Spofforthiae’. The little market town of Thirsk gave rise to the great Kew taxonomist J.G. Baker who did so much to popularise the daffodil during the late 19th century. So the echoes from the past and the inspiration that they provide continue to follow me and will, as time passes, afflict others with the delightful condition known as ‘Yellow Fever’. My sincere thanks are due to the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust, which through its then Director, the late Sir George Taylor supported the initial research without which this project would not have begun. More recently, the Trust, through its current Director, Dr James Cullen, has supported the conversion of the rough typed draft into a digital format. Finally my thanks go to those who have edited my original material with patience and tenacity, involving the reading of the whole script – sometimes on several occasions. They are Professor Brian S. Rushton, Professor Peter Roebuck, Dr Philip Orton and Jan Dalton. Lastly, a huge debt of gratitude is due to Jennifer Rushton who over many months converted the rough typed draft into its digital fineness. David Willis, May 2012
LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1 J.G.Baker affodil c 10 Whimary of th ith er,year of registra and awards nd Table 10.3. Small-ct ed white cultivars with details of na Milestones in the development of reverse bicolor daffodils teryeofieslomandawarh Table 12 1 Table 13.1. The nomenclature and colour classification of early double daffodils of the Phoenix group and their synonyms according to four authorities Table me important double daffodils 1s2 ultivar progeny e cros the by J.L.Richardson C I list ltiva cross made Table 182 al list ofs Table 18 3 Chronological list of some better known Division 7 cultivars Table 18.4 Chronological list of some better known Division 8 cultivars Table 19.1 Some bulbocodium and cantabricus cultivars found in Division 12 before 1998 but now within the newly created Division 10. een daffodil type,pl and pollen grain size om win-sca Brian.Duncan and Tom Table 222 d the chir tachni Table 23 ies and cultiva s recomme wing trials at Rosewarne EHS Table 23 2 Summary of temperature treatments for forced crop Table 24.1 Variation in the points system used for judging daffodils. Table 24.2 The number of flower heads per stem of a representative sample of some of the more common cultivars. Table24.3. daffodil cultivars during the1980 Table 25 that attack daffodils
13 LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1. J.G. Baker’s daffodil classification (with later additions by Peter Barr). Table 4.2. Summary of the revised system of daffodil classification 1977. Table 10.1. White trumpet cultivars with details of parentage, breeder, year of registration and awards. Table 10.2. Large-cupped white cultivars with details of parentage, breeder, year of registration and awards. Table 10.3. Small-cupped white cultivars with details of parentage, breeder, year of registration and awards. Table 12.1. Milestones in the development of reverse bicolor daffodils. Table 13.1. The nomenclature and colour classification of early double daffodils of the Phoenix group and their synonyms according to four authorities. Table 13.2. The chronology of appearance and breeding of some important double daffodils. Table 15.1. Cultivar progeny from the cross ‘Kilworth’ × ‘Arbar’ made by J.L. Richardson. Table 15.2. The most successful of the progeny from the ‘Kilworth’ × ‘Arbar’ cross made by J.L. Richardson. Table 18.1. Chronological list of some better known Division 5 cultivars. Table 18.2. Chronological list of some better known Division 6 cultivars. Table 18.3. Chronological list of some better known Division 7 cultivars. Table 18.4. Chronological list of some better known Division 8 cultivars. Table 19.1. Some bulbocodium and cantabricus cultivars found in Division 12 before 1998 but now within the newly created Division 10. Table 21.1. Relationship between daffodil type, ploidy status and pollen grain size. Table 22.1. Bulbil production from twin-scaling daffodil bulbs supplied by Brian S. Duncan and Tom Bloomer at the (New) University of Ulster, early 1980s. Table 22.2. The projected multiplication rate of daffodil bulbs using the chipping technique. Table 23.1. Species and cultivars recommended for cut flower production following trials at Rosewarne EHS. Table 23.2. Summary of temperature treatments for forced crops. Table 24.1. Variation in the points system used for judging daffodils. Table 24.2. The number of flower heads per stem of a representative sample of some of the more common cultivars. Table 24.3. Top show daffodil cultivars during the 1980s. Table 24.4. Price limited classes in daffodil shows. Table 25.1. Vectors responsible for the transfer of viruses that attack daffodils