So this is a vase to bid farewell to these, the last of my daffodils:
The flowers of small, multi-headed yellow N. ‘Hawera’ have lasted incredibly well, as have the double flowered N. ‘Cheerfulness’ with their beautifully strong, sweet scent. I am definitely going to miss them once they go over.
Large cupped Narcissus ‘Binkie’ with the much daintier N. ‘Hawera’ in the background
This large-flowered, stripey affair was a surprise, but it seems to be one of the variants of new daffodil ‘Binkie’ (dreadful name!). I bought the bulbs late last autumn, stuffing a bag with as many as would fit in, in the end of season sale. From the promotional pictures I hadn’t realised that ‘Binkie’ has a tendency to broken coloured petals. Can’t say I am terribly taken with them, but they have made a strong and interesting display.
Dreamy spring colours
I was determined to include some helianthemum in the vase as I adore its burnt orange rumpled petals and offset stigma. I’ve a plant growing in the half barrel beside the greenhouse and I can’t walk passed the flowers without stopping to look closer.
Featuring Allium cowanii, Bunny tail grass, golden marjoram and orange rock rose
I’ve added some of the enchanting bunny tail grass (Lagurus ovatus) and some golden marjoram around the edges.
Also in the mix: Perennial cornflower (Centaurea montana), tulip batalinii and cowslip
I couldn’t resist adding a couple of whorls of clear blue in the form of the perennial cornflower, Centaurea montana.
Tulipa batalinii and cowslip
A gap at the front was filled with a cute soft yellow species tulip T. batalinii and a head of cowslip … and the jam jar was full. Quite a party!
Thanks to Cathy @ramblinginthegarden for hosting In a Vase on Monday with such dedication and imagination every week. This week her post has caused an ear worm! Take a look at her comment section for further linkups to this meme.
Frogend dweller's Blog 
I really like the yellow and white mixture on Binkie. In fact, I think it might be my favorite. Perhaps it’s the resemblance to lemon curd and whipped cream being folded together… Oh, my!
OK, I admit that associations can change a person’s perceptions, as that’s a nice idea. It is certainly a nice clean, primrose yellow base, which puts it in the good pile of daffs at least.
And now I am wondering what that tastes like as I’ve never had that combo before. I wonder whether My Whippy’s ice cream is ever sold with a lemon drizzle ??? Further investigation required …
I agree the name is dreadful but I like the look of your Binkie. Lovely mix.
😉
Such a pretty spring mix! I love the soft yellow of T. batalinii and N. ‘Hawera.’ Most of the 50 Hawera bulbs I planted a couple years ago failed to return. Any idea why? Are they not hardy in our frigid winters? Most of my daffs do okay, so I wondered if it was more tender?
N. ‘Binkie’ reminds me of a carnival banner! 🙂
Not all the ‘Binkie’s are like this one, some are like the picture on the pack, but honestly I think that I like the broken-coloured ones better.
What a shame about your narcissus bulbs. I only have two years experience with N. Hawera and in fact the bulbs stayed in the same plastic pot round the back of the greenhouse, so maybe they like being crowded! We hardly had a winter this year though.
Yes, Binkie is definitely reminiscent of something yummy and lemony but, as you say, it may be questionable as a narcissus! I wondered what the orange was – what a bright flash it brings to the vase! I have this T batalinii and in your vase it really helps bring the elements together. Your lagurus is early, isn’t it? Even my autumn sown ones aren’t ‘flowering’ yet – so many people at the open garden asked about it last year that I grew even more than I usually would have some for sale, even though they are just annuals so they are well spread around the borders instead! I don’t think they self-seed, or not that I have noticed. Have you? Isn’t it good to be able to stuff a vase again?! Thanks for sharing yours
The bunny tails grass does seem early to flower, although I think the two big clumps have survived winter and are consequently showing off. There are smaller plants in the pot also in flower though, so it does seem to have self-seeded a little very locally.
Since Linda’s comment about Binkie I am looking more kindly at it. I’ve transferred it to a spot in the garden and if it does OK next year I might learn to love it.
Might leave my bunny tails in and see if it overwinters – and will look out for seedlings. Much as I love it, I wouldn’t want it to seed the way briza does though – you can go off things! I have done the same sort of thing with plants as you are doing with the Binkie – sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t!
Oh I am singing from the same hymn sheet re. Briza. Currently pulling it out from between all the paving slabs around the patio and down the path to the compost!! (Think you should be OK with Bunny Tails though)
Cheerfulness are lasting well here too, despite all the sunshine, and it is lovely to see you still have cowslips while the cornflowers are opening too. Late spring in April! It‘s a lovely posy. I especially like the Allium. 😃
Thanks Cathy. They are all lasting well in the vase too. That allium is very fresh and full of energy seems to me!