Narcissus recurvus Pheasant’s Eye

Narcissus recurvus Pheasant’s Eye – is a superb old-fashioned variety of daffodil bulb and a fine example of the group known as poeticus.  Similar in appearance to Actaea, Narcissus recurvus Pheasant’s Eye has a small yellow cup with a red rim. Looking very much like a small eye. The petals are pure white but beautifully reflexed and sweetly scented. Possibly the last of the narcissus bulbs to flower (with exception to the few summer flowering daffodils) appearing in late May. The foliage is tall and twisted in deep green. Even the bulbs are unique, identifiable by the large hooked neck. This makes it extremely difficult to put through the counting machine as they get caught on everything.

How to plant

Narcissus recurvus Pheasant’s Eye will naturalise in the right conditions. The bulbs prefer soil which is not too rich. It might take a season after you have planted the bulbs before they begin to flower.

Plant in autumn with the ‘hook’ pointing up at around 15cm deep. Space the bulbs between 8-10cm apart in a sunny or semi-shaded position. Being one of the later daffodils to flower it is important to wait for the foliage to die back before removing it. Leaving the foliage to die back allows the bulb take in as much nutrients as it can before it goes back into it’s dormant phase.