Narcissus 'Mon Cheri'

DAFFODIL
syn. N/A
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Pronounced: nar-SIS-us

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Bulbs.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All.
USDA zones: Daffodils will grow in all USDA zones with the exception of southern Florida or warmer areas.
Mature size:
Height: 12-16 inches (30-40 cm).
Flowering period:
April.
Flowering attributes:
One stem bears one flower with a white perianth and a large apricot-pink cup.
Leaf attributes:
Long, strap-like, green leaves.
Growth habit:
Clump-forming.
Light:
Full sun to dappled shade.
Soil:
Humus rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
After flowering, apply a low nitrogen/high potash fertilizer. At planting time, toss bone meal or high potash fertilizer into planting hole.
Propagation methods:
After the leaves dry up, lift bulbs and separate them to increase supply.
Pruning methods:
Deadhead spent flowers to prevent seed formation so the plant's energy goes into the bulb, not seed production. Do not cut foliage off until it dies down. The foliage helps feed the bulb for next year's flowers; it is important that it stay on the plant until it turns brown. Naturalized in grass, the daffodil foliage needs to ripen for at least six weeks after flowering, before mowing.
Pests and diseases:
Slugs may be a problem. In poorly drained soil, bulb rot may occur.

 

Rainy Side Notes

I once tightly packed 50 Narcissus ‘Mon Cheri’ into a large, shallow container perched on top of a pedestal. Next spring, the daffodils gave me a cheery greeting every time I stepped outside.

I went outside in between the incessant, intermittent snow showers to photograph the daffodils in my garden because I needed the reminder that it was one month into spring regardless of what the weather was spitting at us. Nothing says spring like Narcissus 'Mon Cheri' with its large flowers and exceptional, frilly, apricot-pink cups set off by white petals!

This bulb was registered in 1983. The French word mon cheri means “my darling” or “my dear” and is what a woman would say to a man. Ma cherie has the same meaning except it is what a man would say to a woman. I purchased this daffodil under the name 'Mon Cherie', and after seeing it spelled both ways, I went in search of the correct spelling.

As with most daffodils, N. 'Mon Cherie' is first-rate for forcing and is also a wonderful cut flower. Daffodils last four to six days in a vase. Preservatives do not prolong the flowers; this step is not necessary. The blossoms secrete a mucous from their stems that is unfavorable to other cut flowers. Daffodils can be used alone in the vase or hardened for 12-24 hours in fresh water by themselves, with at least one water change. Rinse stems before combining with other cut flowers.

In fall, plant bulbs four to six inches deep and three to six inches apart. The flowers face a southerly direction towards the sun, so you want to plant them with their flower faces towards the viewer.

Daffodils are harmful if eaten and the bulbs can be a skin irritant.

More Narcissus.

Photographed in author's garden.