Narcissus Thalia

A forgotten favourite, the Thalia daffodil or Narcissus Thalia is a wonderfully fragrant and striking pure white daffodil.

Also referred to as orchid narcissus, Thalia is one of the oldest known hybrids and forms part of our dwarf daffodil bulbs collection.

Not your stereotypical daffodil, Thalia has a simple and understated elegance. Its trumpet-shaped milk-white flowers, with slightly reflexed petals, open in mid-April offering a lovely spring-time scent.

Growing to 35cm in height with two or more blooms per stem and - over time - spreading widely it works well to brighten up a woodland garden or a shrub border.

Alternatively, plant near a path or patio at the front of the border to enjoy the perfume. Thalia also works well as a cut flower for a vase. See the full variety of daffodil and narcissus bulbs we have available for sale.

How to grow

Thalia daffodils are fully hardy and easy and quick to grow.

• When: plant in late summer to early autumn
• Position: full sun and partial shade
• Soil: able to tolerate most soils but best when planted in moderately fertile and well-drained soils. Keep ground constantly wet whilst growing. Consider a fertiliser starter.
• Depth: one and a half to two times the bulbs depth (12-20cm) and 10cm apart
• Gardener’s tip: Allow the leaves the die off naturally before dead-heading. Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves begin to fade. A half strength high-potash fertilizer starter is recommended, as is bringing the plants inside once the bulbs begin to open to encourage early flowering. Once the foliage has died off they will slowly neutralise. No pruning required.

An old breed popular with the Victorians, the Thalia is once again enjoying a gardening resurgence. The name derives from Greek Mythology; with Thalia being one of the three 'Graces' and daughters of Zeus.

As the goddess of festivity and rich banquets, the Greek adjective Thalia is still used to describe a setting as plentiful, luxuriant and abundant to this day; be certain it will add these graceful qualities to any garden. Thalia, however, is a goddess with bite and can be harmful if eaten.