The Narcissus 'White Lion' is a large bulb (14+ cm) that produces a lovely double white bloom! The multiple layers of ivory petals are only broken up by a hint of yellow peeking out of the very center. This heirloom double has been around since the 1940s and is a dependable choice for cutting and naturalizing.
Blooms: 'White Lion' is one of the later daffodils to bloom, showing its amazing beauty from mid-spring into May. Layers of creamy white petals are mixed with soft yellow ruffles in the center, and the blooms have a sweet, gardenia-like fragrance. The sturdy 14-16" stems make it a wonderful cut flower, and it is hardy in zones 3-8.
Planting: Plant the bulb like most daffodils in 6+ hours of winter sun, well-drained soil, avoid standing water, and avoid too much competition. Plant the bulbs about 2-3 times the height of the bulb deep (so if the bulb is 1 inch tall, plant it 2-3 inches deep). If you are farther north and get very cold during the winter, you may want to plant it about 4-6 inches deep. Space the holes about 3-6 inches apart, and for a more natural looking display, consider planting 2-3 bulbs in each hole.
Landscaping Tip: The Narcissus 'White Lion' makes a great companion to the 'Yellow Cheerfulness' as they are both May bloomers. Plant them together for a late-spring show of white and yellow after your early daffodils are done.
After Blooming: Let the foliage stay in place until it turns yellow and dies back on its own. The leaves are feeding the bulb for next year's blooms, so resist the urge to cut or braid them early.