Fun Facts About This Bright Harbinger Of Spring
One of the most looked forward to harbingers of spring is the daffodil. Whether they are bright yellow, white, or any of the gazillions of combinations of color and petal form, daffodils warm the heart and give us reason to believe spring is really here.
Daffodils, which are also known by their botanical name narcissus, multiply quickly and return to bloom again each spring, year after year. They are not fussy about soil, will grow in sun or shade and are not bothered by deer, rabbits and other pesky critters. Easy to grow and easy to enjoy, they deserve a place in every garden.
Here are 7 things you may not know about daffodils:
- The daffodil is the national flower of Wales. In Wales, if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your next year will be filled with wealth.
- There are over 13,000 different hybrids of daffodils. Some of our favorites are King Alfred, Tahiti and White Lion.
- For you married folks, daffodils are the 10th wedding anniversary flower.
- The leaves and bulb contain toxic alkaloid called lycorine. This substance keeps deer, rabbits and squirrels away. Be careful, it is also toxic to dogs.
- Know anyone who is narcissistic? This mythical word derives from classical Greek mythology where a beautiful youth named Narcissus became so entranced with his own reflection that he pined away for himself. As a punishment for his vanity, the gods turned him into this flower.
- Poultry farmers believe daffodil flowers will stop hens from laying and they are banned from their homes.
- Currently Daffodils are being grown for Galanthine, a property being investigated for its benefits on Alzheimers. Let’s hope this works out.
