Cold Hardy Narcissus species

[RickR]

The Daffodil Society here in zone 4 Minnesota claims that there are no Narcissus species that are hardy here, at least for very long.  I wonder how true this really is.  Any comments?

[Lori S.]

That's something I'm keenly interesting in hearing more about.

I can say that Narcissus poeticus seems to be hardy here over the long term.  (I have to admit I've seen better clumps of it in other people's yards than I grow myself, but I don't think hardiness is a problem.)  EDIT: Hmm, maybe I should ask if this really is pure N. poeticus in the photo.


That seems to be the only species I grow.  I did try N. canaliculatus on a few occasions with no success.  One factor is availability - pure species tend not to be readily available, especially not as bulbs, for trial.
Given the number of hybrids (especially the so-called "rock garden" types) that are hardy here, it would seem odd if some of the constituent species were not hardy, though I have not tried them.   For example, the ever-present 'Tête à Tête' is said to be a hybrid of N. cyclamineus with N. tazetta. 

[deesen]

.....................For example, the ever-present 'Tête à Tête' is said to be a hybrid of N. cyclamineus with N. tazetta. 

The seed parent was 'Cyclataz' and pollen was open pollinated, One of 'Cyclataz's parents was Narcissus cyclamineus

[Lori S.]

Thanks for the info, David!  (I was just (loosely) quoting Phillips and Rix, Bulbs... in full, they say: "The result of crossing N. cyclamineus with N. tazetta 'Soleil d'Or' was the doubtfully hardy N. 'Cyclataz', and 'Tête à Tête' is an improved and hardy form."   I have no personal insight into this whatsoever.    )