Jonquil, or Narcissus jonquilla, are a flower species akin to Daffodils. Their strong resemblance to the more ubiquitous daffodil has caused some confusion in identification for gardeners, but they do have distinct characteristics that easily separate them from their more common relatives. Knowing when to plant jonquils and care for them will give you the best chance of success with them.
Jonquil and Common Daffodils
Daffodils are widely known for the bright yellow, cup shaped flowers that emerge early each spring. This single, relatively large flower is often one of the earliest blooms in the garden, making it a hit with gardeners everywhere. Better Homes and Gardens points out that, Although the terms jonquil and daffodil are often used interchangeably, jonquils are technically only one type of daffodil. Despite this confusion, jonquil actually have a few unique characteristics worth noting. According to Gerald Klingaman, who writes for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Jonquil is the most fragrant of all the Narcissus species. Additionally, he notes, jonquil often produces between two and six blooms each year compared to the common daffodil's one.These tend to be smaller in size, also. Leaves on the jonquil tend to be a darker green color, and actually emerge in the fall. When identifying jonquil in the spring, therefore, you'll often notice some winter damage on the leaves.
Plant Jonquil at the Right Time
Knowing identify jonquil is important; as Klingaman points out, Jonquils are not commonly available from bulb merchants, but they are common around old gardens and cemeteries. If you are unable to find jonquil bulbs at your local garden store, you'll need to hunt them down. Asking neighbors or contacting a local gardening club might be good ways to obtain these hard-to-find bulbs from someone with an established bed of them. Recognizing the set of features unique to jonquils (as opposed to daffodils) will help you get actual jonquils in case your source has mistakenly interchanged the names. The best time to plant jonquil, according to Klingaman, is late spring. Depending on your climate and weather, jonquil will typically flower in either March or April. Unlike many bulb-type plants that are sown in the fall, Klingaman recommends dividing after the plant has flowered in spring in order to plant in your own yard. Place them in full sun, and water them for two to three weeks to help them become established. Jonquil are both hardy and consistent bloomers, and proper planting should result in a low maintenance focal point for your garden.
Give Jonquil Time to Prepare for Winter
Planting at the right time is the most important step to a healthy jonquil plant. According to Klingaman, jonquil is different from daffodil in that, [The leaves] begin growing from the slender bulb during the mild days of the fall. By spring, when the plants flower, the tips are often burned by severe winter weather. This is part of the usual growth cycle of this unique member of the daffodil family. Late spring planting allows the plant ample opportunity to become established and healthy for spreading fall leaves and early spring flowers. Keep your eyes open for jonquil, and you'll have a unique, fragrant burst of color in your yard for years to come.
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