Last September's bulb order included a couple of new to me bulbs so I've been awaiting their opening with great anticipation. Allium 'Purple Rain' has still to flower whilst the other bulb narcissus 'Elka' has been one of this month's stars. I ordered 50 of the bulbs which have were planted mainly in the gabion border as well as a stray handful in a pot. They have lived up to the catalogue description and are quite small. The pot planted ones are about 5 inches whilst the tallest of those planted in the ground are about 9 inches. I've been waiting to see whether the trumpet fades as promised from a bright lemon yellow to a creamy colour as the flowers matures and yes they most certainly do as you can see from the photos. This little beauty was awarded an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS in 2011. It was bred by a Cornish cut flower grower Alec Gray and was named after a couple of daffodil growing friends Elizabeth and Kate ~
I'm so pleased that I decided to try 'Elka' and plan to order more this autumn. Are you enjoying any new to you bulbs this spring?
I have several new to me tulips this year and I'm pleased with them all. I want to try adding some small narcissus, I'll have to look out for this one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that small is beautiful when it comes to Narcissus. This little one, Elka is one I haven't come across. It is a real gem. I add more small ones each year. The only thing is I am bad at labelling them. I think I will remember what they are and then I forget when they come up. I must start using some labels and markers that you have tested.
ReplyDeleteI wondered at the different shades until you said that the yellow fades, Anna - I definitely prefer the petite daffs. I have added to my species tulip numbers for this year, but they are not ready to flower yet
ReplyDeleteLovely. I've really enjoyed my iris reticulata Gordon this year, I shall definitely grow them again, and I've got some daffodils just starting to bloom now, they're different from any I've previously grown so I'm hoping I'm going to like them.
ReplyDeleteElka is lovely, small narcissus are so much nicer than the large ones. This year I have tried Narcissus Sail Boat, small creamy white, they have just started flowering now.
ReplyDeleteI love these they are so natural looking and make a nice change from tete a tete.
ReplyDeleteSmall is indeed beautiful! I tend to prefer short growing daffs and those that are not so 'in your face' - Elka looks like she fits the bill. Another for my wish list me thinks.
ReplyDeleteI think these small ones are the most elegant!
ReplyDeleteI really love Elka! My favourite new bulbs this spring have been a mix of different scillas - blue, pink and white. They are tiny, but so pretty!
ReplyDeleteElka certainly is a star - I'm very fond of this colour in daffodils. How is your gabbion wall coming on?
ReplyDeleteLove these! Small is definitely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAren't they adorable! I love them. You've probably seen Tete-a-Tete small daffodils. I have a bunch of them but they're golden yellow. These are much softer in color. Very nice. Happy spring to you Anna.
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable!
ReplyDeleteA lovely littel flower - we have bought some Puschkinia scilloides which are pretty but we only have a small clump - we need more.
ReplyDeleteThey're just beautiful Anna. My new ones for this year are Ranunculus asiaticus -Persian buttercups. They're not yet in flower but I'm sure it won't be long now. I have dark purple ones for a window box display and a vibrant mixed set of yellow, orange and pink to use for cut flowers.
ReplyDeleteI like all daffodils, regardless of height, except to the ones which have so many petals their backs are broken by the weight of their heads.
ReplyDeleteI'm updating the Tree Following Page for Loose and Leafy
http://looseandleafy.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-is-tree-following-and-list-of-tree.html
to give a better geographical idea of where our trees are. Shall I put you down for Shropshire?
Thanks everyone for all your kind comments. I've got one or two suggestions now of other bulbs to investigate now for possible autumn planting :) More on the gabion wall soon Annette. Lucy I will send you a direct message today re the Tree Following Page but for the records it's Cheshire.
ReplyDeleteElka looks beautiful, I think she would go really well with the W. P. Milner, another dainty narcissus with pale creamy-yellow colouring that I am loving at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYes she would do Janet. Funnily enough I have some WP Milner too. Will have to move them closer together next year :)
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