Narcissus pseudonnarcissus - the native wild daffodil

 

A nymph named Echo fell in love with a young Greek called Narcissus.    According to Greek mythology Narcissus broke Echo’s heart so she lived alone until nothing but the ricochet of her echo remained.

Nemesis, the Goddess of divine retribution and revenge, heard of the story and lured Narcissus to a pond.    Handsome and vain, Narcissus saw his mirror image in the pool.    He leaned forward to see himself.   Narcissus fell in the pond, drowned and turned into a flower.

The Narcissus flower was brought to England by the Romans who thought the sap from the plant had healing powers.

The common name for Narcissus is daffodil.    The flowers have a central trumpet surrounded by six petal like tepals that are usually yellow or white.   The flowers stand on sturdy stems, above slender leaves, reaching from just 8 ins (20 cm) tall up to 20 ins (50 cm) depending on the cultivar.

Within the English Lake District National Park the most common perennial flowering plant is Narcissus pseudonarcissus from the Amaryllidaceae family.




From March through to the beginning of May you will see this “native wild daffodil” throughout the landscape.    One of my favourite places to see Narcissus pseudonarcissuss is at Holehird Gardens, Windermere, where the upper meadow is a wonderful sight in early spring.

Holehird Gardens is the home of the Lakeland Horticultural Society.    The organisation was founded in 1969 with the aim of promoting the science, practice and art of horticulture, particularly with regard to the conditions prevailing in the Lake District.

Members come from all areas of the UK, with a few from further afield.   From the original 200 members, membership has grown to approximately 1600.   More than 250 people are actively involved in the upkeep of the gardens, its library, visitor centre and plant sales area.

Spring bulbs are found throughout the gardens.    The early snowdrops give way to a succession of daffodils, tulips and alliums.    The garden is open to visitors all year from dawn to dusk and is on the A592, one mile from Windermere town centre.

The Lakeland Horticultural Society

Patterdale Road,  Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1NP   

 

 

 

 

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