Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus Haw. (13)
old pheasant's eye
A bulbous perennial to 35cm tall, with narrow, channelled grey-green leaves. Fragrant, white single flowers with slightly recurved petals have small, red-edged yellow cups with a green eye and appear in late spring
Synonyms
Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus (Haw.) A. Fern.Narcissus poeticus subsp. recurvus
see moreNarcissus poeticus old pheasant's eye
Narcissus old pheasant's eye
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Yellow Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats, tortoises): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Narcissus are bulbous herbaceous perennials with linear leaves and leafless stems bearing flowers, which may be solitary or in umbels, with 6 spreading perianth segments and a cup or trumpet-shaped corona
- Name status
Correct
- Horticultural Group
- Division 13 daffodils include all natural species and their varieties and forms
- Plant range
- France to Greece
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant bulbs at one and a half to two times their own depth in autumn. Will tolerate most soils but prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil that is constantly moist during the growing season. See daffodil cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Wildflower meadow
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Deadhead as flowers fade and allow the leaves to die down naturally
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, narcissus bulb fly, narcissus eelworm, and bulb scale mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to narcissus basal rot, narcissus leaf scorch or daffodil viruses
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.