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Daffodil Mini Tete A Tete

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Tough, timeless, and utterly charming, Daffodil ‘Tête-à-Tête’ is a classic miniature daffodil, honoured with the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its hardiness, reliability, and exceptional performance. Its sturdy stems carry up to three nodding golden-yellow blooms, complemented by lush green foliage, with gently swept-back petals and a vibrant yellow cup creating a cheerful yet refined display. Thriving in cool to mild tropical climates, it flourishes in full sun to part shade with well-draining soil, benefiting from a cool winter and warm spring to thrive year after year. Perfect for planting at the front of borders, along pathways, in pots, or naturalising beneath deciduous trees, ‘Tête-à-Tête’ brings effortless beauty and enduring charm to every garden.

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

  1. Site Selection: Choose full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
  2. Planting Depth and Spacing: Plant bulbs 10-15 cm deep and 10-15 cm apart; miniature varieties should be planted 8-10 cm deep.
  3. 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.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack

Botanical Name

Narcissus

Quantity in Pack

3 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Early to Mid Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards, once the summer heat has passed and the soil has cooled sufficiently.

Growing Height

15-25 cm

Planting Depth

For miniature varieties, plant 8-10 cm deep or twice their height, and slightly deeper—three times their height—in warmer climates. Avoid shallow planting, as it encourages bulbs to split into offsets prematurely, delaying maturity.

Soil

Plant in well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0). Enrich with compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting. Further improve drainage and prevent compaction by incorporating coarse sand, perlite, or horticultural grit. Adding peat moss or leaf mold will help improve soil texture and slightly acidify the soil.

How to Plant

Choose a location with full sun to partial shade, ensuring afternoon shade in warmer regions. Provide at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, as daffodils will not flourish if positioned in too much shade. In cooler climates, provide full sun.
Once the soil is prepared, plant 8-10 cm deep with the pointed end facing up—approximately twice the height of the bulb to ensure proper root development and stability. In warmer climates, plant bulbs slightly deeper—three times their height—to shield them from excessive heat. Space each bulb 10–15 cm apart.

For potted daffodils, you can plant them slightly closer together while leaving enough space between each bulb. A 15 cm pot comfortably fits four bulbs, but ensure it is deep enough to accommodate the planting depth daffodils require. Plant them at the same depth as mentioned for garden beds. Water thoroughly to help settle the soil and establish roots.

Optional but beneficial: Apply a moderate layer of mulch after planting to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, providing an optimal environment for growth.

Watering

After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil. In areas with very dry winters, apply occasional watering to encourage emergence and maintain bulb health. Otherwise, hold off on watering until signs of growth appear, as excessive moisture during dormancy can lead to rot. Once growth begins, maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot. In regions with heavy rain, plant in raised beds or on slopes to ensure well-draining soil.

As the foliage starts to yellow, gradually reduce watering and cease completely once the foliage has fully died back. During dormancy, apply only light watering in warmer regions during prolonged dry spells to prevent the bulbs from desiccating. In cooler areas, natural rainfall is generally sufficient.

Fertilise

While daffodils aren’t heavy feeders, an annual feed is beneficial. For nutrient-poor soils, incorporate a balanced fertiliser when preparing the soil. If the soil has already been enriched with compost or well-rotted animal manure, this step can be skipped. However, it is recommended to apply a balanced fertiliser such as NPK 6:6:6 or azalea and camellia food after blooms fade but before foliage yellows. This encourages bloom production over excess foliage, replenishes energy stores, and supports healthy growth for the following year.

Important Note: Avoid over-fertilising, as this may lead to excessive leaf growth and reduced blooms. Always water the soil before applying liquid fertiliser or mix it according to packaging instructions to prevent root burn and ensure even nutrient distribution.

Pruning

Deadhead daffodils after flowering to redirect energy to the bulb. Allow foliage to die back naturally, trimming only once it has fully yellowed. Divide clumps every 3-5 years or when flowering decreases by lifting bulbs after foliage dies back, separating offsets, and replanting in well-prepared soil to maintain healthy growth and blooms. Bulbs can also be stored in a cool, well-ventilated, dry environment until planting season if summers are particularly hot or wet.
Daffodils are frost-hardy and can tolerate freezing temperatures during their dormancy and early growth phases. For those in climates that don’t provide the necessary cold dormancy, treat daffodils as annuals, as they will not reliably flower again without the required winter chill.

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