Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’

Features

  • Fragrant
  • Toxic

Description

The most fragrant narcissus we grow, one stem of ‘Erlicheer’ fills the room with a clean, sweet, lilac scent. Ivory and buttercream-yellow flowers are borne in large, fluffy sprays that look like hydrangeas. What they lack in height, they make up for in scent and are the loveliest additions to spring flower arrangements. Note: This treasure is only hardy in zone 9 and above, so if you’re in a cold climate, you’ll need to provide extra protection.

Details

Height: 7 to 12 in
Type: double
Bloom time: early
Site: full sun

Harvesting/Vase Life

For the longest vase life, harvest when blooms look like a goose neck and have not yet opened. Flowers can also be picked when they’ve opened more, just keep in mind that they won’t last quite as long. Wear gloves when harvesting narcissus, as they ooze a slimy sap that can cause skin irritation. This slimy sap can shorten the vase life of other flowers significantly. To avoid affecting other blooms in an arrangement, you’ll need to “condition” them first. To do this, place freshly cut stems in a separate bucket to rest for 3 to 4 hours to release sap. Do not recut stems after treatment. You can create an arrangement solely of narcissus and the sap won’t be an issue. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Details

Description

The most fragrant narcissus we grow, one stem of ‘Erlicheer’ fills the room with a clean, sweet, lilac scent. Ivory and buttercream-yellow flowers are borne in large, fluffy sprays that look like hydrangeas. What they lack in height, they make up for in scent and are the loveliest additions to spring flower arrangements. Note: This treasure is only hardy in zone 9 and above, so if you’re in a cold climate, you’ll need to provide extra protection.

Details

Height: 7 to 12 in
Type: double
Bloom time: early
Site: full sun

Harvesting/Vase Life

For the longest vase life, harvest when blooms look like a goose neck and have not yet opened. Flowers can also be picked when they’ve opened more, just keep in mind that they won’t last quite as long. Wear gloves when harvesting narcissus, as they ooze a slimy sap that can cause skin irritation. This slimy sap can shorten the vase life of other flowers significantly. To avoid affecting other blooms in an arrangement, you’ll need to “condition” them first. To do this, place freshly cut stems in a separate bucket to rest for 3 to 4 hours to release sap. Do not recut stems after treatment. You can create an arrangement solely of narcissus and the sap won’t be an issue. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Sources

How to Grow

Winter Mini Course

Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series

In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.