Description
Daffodil Mini ‘Tête-à-Tête’ (Narcissus)
Daffodil ‘Tête-à-Tête,’ a member of the Amaryllidaceae family, is a spring-flowering, bulbous perennial native to Europe and North Africa. This much-loved miniature daffodil produces delicate golden-yellow blooms, each featuring soft, swept-back petals that frame a small, rounded cup in a deeper yellow hue. Each sturdy stem bears up to three cheerful blooms, exuding a light, sweet fragrance. Complemented by vibrant green foliage, ‘Tête-à-Tête’ delivers a timeless display.
Uses and Versatility
Daffodil ‘Tête-à-Tête’ is perfect for the front of borders, naturalising, or bringing vibrant cheer to pots and containers. Its petite size makes it a great choice for harmonious displays, while its resilience ensures it thrives year after year. Naturally resistant to rodents, it’s an easy-care favourite. Indoors, ‘Tête-à-Tête’ is ideal for forcing, bringing early spring colour into your home.
Ideal Uses
- Front of Borders and Edging: Adds structure and golden hues to garden beds.
- Naturalising: Creates low-maintenance carpets of bright blooms.
- Pots and Containers: Perfect for patios, balconies, or any garden space, large or small.
- Forcing Indoors: Bring the joy of early spring to your home.
Climate Preferences
Daffodils can grow in cool to mild tropical climates but thrive in regions with cold winters and mild springs, which provide ideal conditions. They are best treated as annuals in areas with short, hot springs or insufficiently cold winters. For mild tropical or tropical climates, pre-chilling bulbs before planting replicate the winter chill necessary for successful flowering.
When to Plant
Daffodils are best planted from March to May. This period allows bulbs to establish strong roots before winter, ensuring a vibrant spring display. Wait until the summer heat has passed and the soil has cooled for optimal growth. In warmer regions, plant in late April or May once soil temperatures have dropped.
How to Plant
- Site Selection: Choose full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
- Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant bulbs 10-15 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart; miniature varieties should be planted 8-10 cm deep.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil but avoid additional watering until foliage emerges.
Aftercare
- Watering: Keep soil moderately moist during growth but allow it to dry during dormancy to prevent rot.
- Fertilising: Use NPK 6:6:6 or azalea and camellia food when blooms fade but before foliage yellows, replenishing energy reserves for next season’s growth.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to redirect energy to the bulb.
- Foliage: Let leaves die back naturally to recharge the bulb for the following season.
- Mulching: Apply a 5 cm mulch layer to retain moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Support for Blooms: Heavy double blooms may bend in rain or wind. Plant in sheltered spots or provide stakes for support.
Division and Maintenance
Daffodils multiply slowly, forming clumps over several years. Divide bulbs every 3-5 years or when flowering declines. After foliage has died back, lift and separate offsets, store bulbs in a cool, dry place, and replant in autumn. Regularly dividing daffodils ensures healthy growth and effective naturalisation.
Pests and Diseases
Daffodils are hardy but may encounter occasional issues:
- Pests: Aphids, slugs, snails, and Narcissus bulb fly.
- Diseases: Basal rot, grey mould, and viral infections, often linked to wet or humid conditions.
To minimise problems, plant in well-drained soil, ensure good air circulation and use organic pest control measures as needed.
Safety
Daffodils contain lycorine, a toxic compound found in all parts of the plant, especially the bulbs. Ingestion can cause stomach upset in humans and pets, and the sap may irritate the skin. Store bulbs securely and plant them out of reach of children and animals. Always wear gloves when handling bulbs to avoid irritation.
Caution: Harmful if eaten. A skin and eye irritant.
Supplied as dormant bulbs.