Tiny, hardy, and bursting with blooms are just a few ways to describe heat-loving tazetta daffodils. Though tazettas aren’t built for climates with cold winters, they thrive and impress when given the warm weather they deserve. So to the gardeners in the southern states of the US and other warm climates, tazetta daffodils are for you! Let’s explore the mighty tazetta’s growing habits and look at 12 types of tazetta daffodils perfect for warm climate gardening.
What Are Tazetta Daffodils?
Tazetta daffodils have unique growth habits compared to many other daffodils. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, tazetta daffodils create an average of 3-10 flowers from each sturdy stem. Also, tazetta petals are a spreading variety, not reflexed, and usually fragrant.
The word tazetta is Italian and means small cup. So there’s another feature of this type of daffodil – it often has tiny cups on small flowers that grow on miniature plants.
Here’s a quick reference list of typical tazetta daffodil traits:
- They produce anywhere from 3-20 blossoms per stem, depending on the variety
- Tazetta daffodil petals are usually spreading and non-reflexed
- Most tazetta daffodils are either paperwhites (all white flowers) or bicolor
- Some tazetta plants produce big fluffy blooms similar to double daffodils
- Tazettas typically do best in warmer climates compared to other daffodils
- Many tazetta daffodils are grown as annuals (bloom one season), whereas most other daffodils are grown as perennials
- Tazetta daffodils are often miniature plants with small flowers
Daffodil growers need to know that there are 13 daffodil divisions, and the tazetta is only one of them. Tazetta daffodils fall under division #8. Can you name the other daffodil divisions? Keep reading for a quick reference list of them all!
Daffodil Divisions: A Quick List
Tazetta daffodils belong to division #8, as shown in the list of 13 daffodil divisions below. Remember that tazettas are best suited for warmer climates like Zones 6-9 or 8-11. However, though there is some zone overlap, most other daffodils grow best in Zones 3-8. So keep your local Hardiness Zone in mind when choosing the right daffodils for your garden plots and containers.
- Division One: Trumpet Daffodils
- Division Two: Large-Cupped Daffodils
- Division Three: Small-Cupped Daffodils
- Division Four: Double Daffodils
- Division Five: Triandrus Daffodils
- Division Six: Cyclamineus Daffodils
- Division Seven: Jonquilla Daffodils
- Division Eight: Tazetta Daffodils
- Division Nine: Poeticus Daffodils
- Division Ten: Bulbocodium Hybrids
- Division Eleven A: Split-Cupped Collar Daffodils
- Division Eleven B: Split-Cupped Papillion Daffodils
- Division Twelve: Other Cultivars Daffodils
- Division Thirteen: Daffodils Distinguished Only by Botanical Name
Once you’ve determined that your growing Zones are ideal for tazetta daffodils, you’re all set to grow the 12 types of tazetta daffodils we recommend below!
1. Narcissus ‘Silver Chimes’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Silver Chimes’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Silver Chimes,’ ‘Silver Chimes’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid, Late)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Strongly sweet scent
Daffodil Color: Silvery-white petals and a light yellow cup (bicolor)
‘Silver Chimes’ is a type of tazetta daffodil with a sweet fragrance and loads of dainty blooms. This plant produces flowers with tiny light yellow cups that subtly contrast with its silvery-white petals. In addition to their delicate beauty, ‘Silver Chime’ daffodils are perfect for mid-to-late spring garden interest.
Charming ‘Silver White’ tazetta daffodils grow 12-24 inches high and provide 1-2 inch flowers. And you can expect up to 10 dainty flowers per stem.
2. Narcissus ‘Ziva’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Ziva’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Ziva,’ ‘Ziva’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Bloom Seasons: Late Winter, Early Spring
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Spicy, peppery scent
Daffodil Color: White petals and cups (paperwhite)
‘Ziva’ tazetta daffodils are very early bloomers, though you’ll need to live in Zones 8-11 to enjoy their flowers to the fullest. Known as a type of paperwhite daffodil, the ‘Ziva’ cultivar isn’t winter-hardy in colder climates like Zones 3-8. So, ‘Ziva’ bulbs and those of other paperwhites need to grow in warm climates.
The ‘Ziva’ tazetta daffodil is prized for its pretty white flowers and peppery scent. Likewise, this paperwhite gets high marks for its many blooms. For example, one ‘Ziva’ daffodil stem could produce more than 15 flowers!
In suitable climates, ‘Ziva’ daffodils grow 12-24 inches high and feature 2-inch flowers. And this popular type of tazetta daffodil is often displayed in cut flower arrangements.
Paperwhites (paperwhite daffodils) like ‘Ziva’ have unique growing habits and needs compared to other daffodils. First, their bulbs don’t need a long period of dormancy in cold winter temperatures. Second, these white daffodils perform best in temps between 60-65 Fahrenheit. And third, paperwhite daffodil bulbs do not grow again the following year. So, you’ll need to grow new bulbs for new flowering plants.
3. Narcissus ‘Ariel’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Ariel’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Ariel,’ ‘Ariel’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid, Late)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Peppery, spicy scent
Daffodil Color: White petals and tiny white cups (paperwhite)
Like the ‘Ziva’ cultivar above, ‘Ariel’ is another paperwhite flower best for Zone 8 and above. Similarly, this type of tazetta daffodil also features 2-inch white blossoms and a pleasing spicy scent. And ‘Ariel’ paperwhites have slightly nodding blooms with tiny white cups.
As for size, ‘Ariel’ daffodils grow around 12-18 inches high. But, again, as with other paperwhites, these daffodil bulbs produce plants for only one season.
4. Narcissus ‘Avalanche’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Avalanche’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Avalanche,’ ‘Avalanche’ Daffodil, Seventeen Sisters
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Strongly perfumed
Daffodil Color: White petals with a yellow cup (bicolor)
The ‘Avalanche’ tazetta daffodil practically bursts with clusters of bicolor blooms in mid-spring. In addition to its lovely floral perfume, ‘Avalanche’ impresses with snow-white petals beneath bright yellow cups. Also, this daffodil’s cups look like tiny bowls full of sunshine.
‘Avalanche’ is an heirloom cultivar known in the 1700s as ‘Seventeen Sisters’ because of its many blossoms. In fact, this prolific daffodil produces 10-20 blooms per cluster. But don’t worry, this type of tazetta daffodil has sturdy stems to hold up all that floral beauty!
The ‘Avalanche’ daffodil is hardy in Zones 6-9 and grows around 14-20 inches tall. And this bicolor tazetta daffodil is a perennial that should grow back year after year.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) presented ‘Avalanche’ with their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
5. Narcissus ‘Canaliculatus’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Canaliculatus’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Canaliculatus,’ ‘Canaliculatus’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Lightly perfumed
Daffodil Color: White petals with a yellow cup (bicolor)
The Heirloom daffodil ‘Canaliculatus’ is a bicolor tazetta for Zones 6-10. With its cheery yellow-and-white flowers, this daffodil cultivar fills with blossoms in mid-spring. However, the clusters of blooms on ‘Canaliculatus’ plants only produce 4-8 flowers compared to some other tazetta daffodils with 12 or more. And its plants are miniature, growing about 5-6 inches tall.
The petals of “Canaliculatus’ are slightly reflexed (which is atypical for tazettas), and its cups look like flat little bells. In addition, ‘Canaliculatus’ thrives in warm climates and rewards gardeners with its mesmerizing scent.
6. Narcissus ‘Cragford’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Cragford’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Cragford,’ ‘Cragford’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Sweet
Daffodil Color: White petals with orange cups (bicolor)
The ‘Cragford’ is another beloved heirloom bicolor tazetta daffodil that blooms mid-spring. Its clusters of small flowers feature milky white petals and orange cups that look like frilly little thimbles. And this classic variety is yet another daffodil with a wonderfully sweet scent.
‘Cragford’ is hardy in Zones 5-9 and grows an average of 16-20 inches tall. In addition, this type of tazetta daffodil produces 4-6 blooms per stem.
Not only do ‘Cragford’ plants look stunning in the garden, but they also make beautiful cut flowers. And this tazetta daffodil is an excellent choice for forcing bulbs in indoor containers.
7. Narcissus ‘Falconet’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Falconet’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Falconet,’ ‘Falconet’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Strong fragrance
Daffodil Color: Canary yellow petals with a creamy orange cup (bicolor)
The award-winning ‘Falconet’ daffodil features canary yellow petals with creamy orange cups. This dainty type of tazetta daffodil is more robust than it looks! In particular, ‘Falconet’ has stout stems that hold up well in vases and bouquets. And with around 4-8 bicolor blossoms per stem, this daffodil is very popular for cut flower gardens.
The ‘Falconet’ cultivar is the hardiest in Zones 5-9 and grows up to 20 inches tall. This type of daffodil also produces fragrant blooms.
‘Falconet’ tazetta daffodil received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its exceptional performance in UK gardens. And the American Daffodil Society also presented ‘Falconet’ with the highly regarded Wister Award.
8. Narcissus ‘Geranium’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Geranium’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Geranium,’ ‘Geranium’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid to Late)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Very fragrant
Daffodil Color: White petals with a deep orange cup (bicolor)
The ‘Geranium’ tazetta daffodil is so similar to the ‘Falconet’ cultivar that we could almost cut and paste the info here! However, ‘Geranium’ plants might bloom a bit later in the spring to keep flowers this color in your garden around a bit longer.
‘Geranium’ shines with bicolor blooms of white petals and tiny orange cups with ruffled edges. In addition, this type of daffodil is incredibly fragrant and often used as a cut flower because of its tough stems.
This bicolor heirloom daffodil is hardy in Zones 5-9 and grows up to 20 inches tall. And you can expect up to six flowers per stem from its perennial bulb.
As for this plant’s awards, it earns many! ‘Geranium’ earned the American Daffodil Society’s distinguished Wister Award. Additionally, the RHS presented this cultivar with its Award of Garden Merit.
9. Narcissus ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Grand Soleil d’Or,’ ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Early to Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Sweet and intense
Daffodil Color: Soft yellow petals with orange cups (bicolor)
Bright and bold ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ is a miniature tazetta daffodil with a significant impact in spring gardens. This bicolor variety features yellow petals and light orange cups that are fragrant with a sweet and intense scent. However, it’s the magnificent flower clusters that turn heads with up to 20 blossoms per stem.
Note that ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ is hardiest in the warmer climate of Zones 8-11. When nestled in the warm weather it loves, this tazetta daffodil grows an average of 12-15 inches tall.
‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ received the American Daffodil Society’s distinguished Wister Award. In addition, it’s a winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit for exceptional beauty and performance.
10. Narcissus ‘Inbal’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Inbal’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Inbal,’ ‘Inbal’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Subtle sweetness
Daffodil Color: Milky white petals and cups (paperwhite)
‘Inbal’ paperwhite daffodils adore the warm temps in Zones 8-11 and grow stronger for it. In fact, ‘Inbal’ is one of the sturdiest paperwhite types of tazetta daffodils grown today. As a result, this daffodil is a favorite as an indoor plant and for cutting gardens.
‘Inbal’ paperwhite daffodil grows 14-24 inches tall and produces many flowers per stem.
The American Daffodil Society awarded ‘Inbal’ with the Wister Award. And, continuing its award streak, ‘Inbal’ also received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
11. Narcissus ‘Minnow’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Minnow’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Minnow’, ‘Minnow’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Bloom Seasons: Spring (Mid)
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Sweetly floral
Daffodil Color: Light yellow (almost cream) petals and dark yellow cups (bicolor)
The ‘Minnow’ tazetta daffodil is a hardy miniature variety that grows best in Zones 5-9. This cultivar produces strong stems with approximately 2-5 blossoms per stem. In addition, each bloom has pale yellow petals and dark yellow cups with slightly ruffled edges. However, note that this daffodil cultivar’s flowers fade to more of a lovely cream tone as they mature.
‘Minnow’ flowers are also sweetly floral, as is the case with most types of tazetta daffodils. And at maturity, this miniature daffodil grows up to 8 inches tall and is popular for cut flower use.
The Royal Horticultural Society honored ‘Minnow’s beauty and hardiness with its Award of Garden Merit.
12. Narcissus ‘Scilly White’
Botanical Name: Narcissus ‘Scilly White’
Common Names: Tazetta Daffodil ‘Scilly White,’ ‘Scilly White’ Daffodil
Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Bloom Seasons: Late Winter to Early Spring
Type of Daffodil: Tazetta, Division #8
Flower Scent: Subtle and sweet aroma
Daffodil Color: White petals and white cups with a greenish tint (paperwhite)
‘Scilly White’ is a bright paperwhite tazetta daffodil that produces 10-20 blooms per stem. This miniature variety blooms white, though its slightly frilly cups have hints of yellow and green. Once it reaches maturity, ‘Scilly White’ flowers change from white to cream.
The ‘Scilly White’ miniature daffodil is hardy in Zones 8-11 and stops growing at about 8-12 inches tall. In addition, the delicate scent of ‘Scilly White’ is mild but sweet enough to be enjoyed in your garden.
Bring the Heat for Happy Tazetta Daffodils
Tazetta daffodils are some of the hardiest and most beautiful spring flowers. But, unlike many other daffodils, tazettas need a warm weather climate to last and really shine! So, we hope the 12 types of tazetta daffodils featured here inspire you to grow your own. Whether paperwhite or bicolor, these small daffodils have a huge impact with their many pretty blooms.
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