Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Narcissus Poeticus - Lovely Daffodils

As I advance into my senior years ever so gracefully, I find I have a greater appreciation for flowers, especially daffodils! As a blonde that has planted many a do-it-yourself flower garden, I have yet to tackle the daffodil. So, I find that I get great enjoyment out of writing about them. So, here goes!

Thou art lovelier than a Daffodil. Thou art Narcissus Poeticus! And I do love thee oh my! Narcissus Poeticus is indeed a lovely Daffodil. Ah, but such a lovely Daffodil indeed. And, I can think of no other more beautiful name for a Daffodil than Narcissus Poeticus.

poets daffodil by magnio
Lovely Photo Credit: Poet's Daffodil by magnio. Ah, Narcissus Poeticus!

My grandparents grew Narcissus Poeticus in their Cleveland, Ohio flower garden. Although I was a youngster way back then, I knew them as Daffodils! Today, I know them poetically as Narcissus Poeticus! Are you a Daffodil lover? Had you heard of the Narcissus Poeticus ... tell the truth!

Thou art lovelier than a Daffodil. Thou art Narcissus Poeticus! And I do love thee oh my! Such lovely daffodils.

My Confession : I Truly Adore the Narcissus Poeticus. Such a lovely and artistic bloom of a daffodil.

"The beauty of the Narcissus Poeticus commands your attention. Such an artistic bloom is the Daffodil. I never saw a Daffodil that wasn't a thing of beauty. A gift of Mother Nature!" --The Brand Ambassador for Narcissus Poeticus: Lovely Daffodil, JaguarJulie!

Which is YOUR favorite name for Narcissus Poeticus?
  • Narcissus Poeticus
  • Poet's Daffodil
  • Pheasant's Eye
  • Pinkster Lily
  • Findern Flower
  • Nargis
  • Daffodil

"Daffodils" (1804) by William Wordsworth I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Narcissus Poeticus — from Missouri Plants. “This species is not nearly as common as its relative narcissus pseudonarcissus.”

Narcissus Poeticus — plant files from Dave’s Garden. “Family: Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee). Genus: Narcissus (nar-SIS-us). Species: poeticus (po-ET-ih-kus).”

Narcissus Poeticus — from Brent and Becky’s Bulbs. “Poeticus var. recurvus – the true poeticus; pure white, strongle recurved petals and a pert yellow cup with a red rim, spicy fragrance, and one of the latest daffodils to bloom.”

WHERE the minnows trace A glinting web quick hid in the gloom of the brook,
When I think of the place
And remember the small lad lying intent to look
Through the shadowy face
At the little fish thread-threading the watery nook

It seems to me
The woman you are should be nixie, there is a pool
Where we ought to be.
You undine-clear and pearly, soullessly cool
And waterly
The pool for my limbs to fathom, my soul's last school.

Narcissus
Ventured so long ago in the deeps of reflection.
Illyssus
Broke the bounds and beyond!-Dim recollection
Of fishes
Soundlessly moving in heaven's other direction!

Be
Undine towards the waters, moving back;
For me
A pool! Put off the soul you've got, oh lack
Your human self immortal; take the watery track.

--Narcissus by D. H. Lawrence

Ah, Narcissus Poeticus -- does this not inspire you? Thou art lovely as a flower.

So do tell! Does not the name of "Narcissus Poeticus" make thy want to wax poetic? Or go on and on about the lovely qualities of this very Daffodil? Do tell thy truth!

From diminutive grassy-leaved gems with flowers no bigger than a child's fingertips to jaunty giants sporting flowers the size of an espresso cup and saucer, daffodils have always been a favorite sign of spring. This book covers in depth the 13 American Daffodil Society divisions, as well as detailed instructions on forcing daffodils inside.

About the Author: Clyde Phillip Wachsberger is an author and landscape designer. His previous book was Of Leaf and Flower, which he also illustrated. Theodore James, Jr., and Harry Haralambou, author and photographer, respectively, of Abrams' Seaside Gardening and Country Gardening, have 14 books and hundreds of magazine articles to their name.

From Publishers Weekly: In a joyous, enthusiastic spirit that reflects the nature of their subject, the Heaths, who operate the Daffodil Mart, a national supply house, offer a compendium of daffodils, which is the common name for the genus Narcissus.

Abundant photographs blend with clearly detailed information to demonstrate the great variety of this "carefree, pest-free, drought-tolerant, diverse and beautiful group of plants" and their suitability to growing zones ranging from Northwest Canada to the Southwest U.S.

Chapters move from "Daffodil Anatomy" through their culture, naturalizing, forcing and growing for exhibition, to miniatures and companion plantings. An extensive, alphabetical list of cultivars, each with a photo, wraps up this handsome reference/gift book.

History: Narcissus Poeticus : Lovely Daffodil was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on October 7, 2009. On March 17, 2012 the lens earned the Squidoo Purple Star Award for quality content. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #5,011 overall. Lens #506 in the quest for Giant Squid 600 Club.

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