Angel's-tears
Narcissus triandrus · Amaryllidaceae
📷 flickr-user spacepleb (Dave Gough) · CC BY 2.0
⚠️ Tous les narcisses sont toxiques : bulbes, feuilles, fleurs. Ingestion cause nausées, vomissements, troubles digestifs graves chez chats, chiens, enfants.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant angel's-tears: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Type
- Perennial bulb
- Mature height
- Approximately 30 cm
- Flowering
- March to May
- Exposure
- Partial shade to sunny
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (zone 3-4)
- Foliage
- Deciduous (disappears in summer)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant bulbs in October-November in well-draining soil, at 8-10cm depth, no shallower. After flowering (March-May), let the leaves yellow naturally for 6 weeks before cutting: this is energy storage for next year's blooms.
The common mistake
Cutting leaves 3 weeks after flowering or replanting immediately: exhausted bulbs won't flower the following year.
The pro's trick
Group small bulbs in clusters of 5-7 in the same spot for a mass effect: a single bulb goes unnoticed but 6 create real white patches in March.
Care
Exposure
The three-stamened daffodil thrives in partial shade or light sun, ideally beneath deciduous trees that will allow light through in spring. It also tolerates full sun in cold regions. Avoid overly shaded areas that slow flowering.
Watering
During active growth periods (autumn and spring), keep the soil lightly moist but well-drained. Once flowering is finished and foliage has faded, gradually reduce watering. In summer, during dormancy, dry soil is preferable to prevent rot.
Soil and planting
Plant the bulbs in autumn (September to November) in rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Space them 10 to 15 cm apart and bury them to a depth equivalent to 2 to 3 times their height. Adding compost or potting soil improves rooting.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring when growth resumes to stimulate flowering. You can also use a specific bulb fertilizer in autumn at planting time. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Deadheading and maintenance
After flowering, let the foliage yellow naturally before removing it (4 to 6 weeks): this allows the bulb to rebuild its reserves. Remove spent flowers to concentrate energy on bulb formation. The bulbs naturalize well and reflower each year without intervention.
Pests and diseases
The three-stamened daffodil is generally very resistant. Be wary of poorly drained bulbs, which encourage fungal or bacterial rot. Slugs and snails can damage young shoots in spring; intervene early if infestation occurs.
Did you know?
The three-stamened daffodil is one of the oldest botanical species in the Narcissus genus and was already featured in medieval monastery gardens. Its delicate small trumpets, often fragrant, have made it a favorite among English gardeners since the 16th century. All parts of the daffodil, from bulb to petals, contain alkaloids toxic to herbivores and rodents, providing natural protection for the plant.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
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- OnionAllium cepa
- Belladonna lilyAmaryllis belladonna
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.