greentapestry : March Musing - Daffodils

Saturday 13 March 2021

March Musing - Daffodils

 


Narcissus pseudonarcissus in a Cumbrian churchyard -13/03/2014

"At first, you can hardly see them : slim, green tips barely distinguishable from the dew-drenched grass. Some, it's true,  are not so slim - here and there are pale swellings, hardly enough to alter the outline but firmer somehow and more promising. Day by day they become less reticent, and though, some stay hidden amongst the clumps of chaotic dead grass, others stand tall and straight ready to meet the sun when it may choose to appear. Their heads begin to tilt, as if still too shy to look at you straight in the eye, but almost at once their astonishing secret is out in a flash of yellow and a silent, spectacular chorus of trumpets. Daffodils herald the spring with vim and verve, seizing the limelight from the more diminutive earlier risers. Brighter than snowdrops, taller than celandines or aconites daffodils instantly command attention ...... only prolonged falls of heavy snow can utterly defeat a company of daffodils: when the sun returns and the ice retreats the yellow stars will generally be out again. Daffodils upright and bright, seem invigorated by seasonal setbacks.


'The Daffodil Fairy' by Cicely Mary Barker.

Just as it seems that it will never be light or warm again, huge teams appear in their high vis-jackets to rescue us from the effects of a prolonged winter. In villages across Britain, worn-out verges begin to gleam with scattered daffodils in early spring to , until the roadside is ablaze in a luminous citric glow, often outshining the sparse street lights.


A few of my own daffodils, March 2016.

As the chilly dawn begins to break a little earlier, these seasonal signs reminds yawning drivers and shivering teenagers that things are not, after all quite as dark as they have been and that brighter days are coming.

~ an extract from ' The Brief Life of Flowers' by Fiona Stafford,  which is well worth a read, revealing how even the most ordinary flowers have extraordinary stories to tell.

8 comments:

  1. Lovely post, I love the first photo and the gorgeous daffodil Flower Fairy.

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  2. I love your selection of daffodils, so many different varieties! You will know from my blog that I also love the Narcissus pseudonarcissus in your first photo, I think they are so wonderful the way they seed about creating their own drifts.

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  3. Just noticed daffodils in bloom on a nearby field earlier and remarked how nice it is to see them. Lovely post!

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  4. Just love this, Anna, you know I always think that English graveyards are among the most beautiful in the world. No plastic, nothing mundane, just ethereal beauty...and this coming from an atheist! ;) I'm in daffodil fever still, can't get enough of them.

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  5. Flower fairies - I bought myself the fynbos fairies book - and have it stored on my reading pile to enjoy!

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  6. You have a lovely selection of daffodils all blooming at the same time. Many thanks for the recommendation: it is now on order from the library. Of course I may end up buying it!

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  7. The daffodils really are taking centre stage at the moment.

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  8. Oh I love the description of daffodils as 'huge teams appear in their high vis-jackets to rescue us from the effects of a prolonged winter!! What great imagery ��

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.