Narcissus ‘Actaea’
Description
This butterfly-shaped beauty flutters in the breeze, emitting a scent that is off the charts. Flowers have a petite, yellow center ringed in scarlet and surrounded with clean, white, slightly reflexed petals. ‘Actaea’ evokes a tropical feeling. Long, strong stems make this large heirloom beauty an excellent cut flower—a must-grow!
Please note: When cut, daffodils and narcissus emit a toxic sap that can cause skin irritation. Use caution and wear gloves when harvesting.
Details
Height: 14 to 16 in
Type: poeticus
Bloom time: late
Site: full sun
Type: poeticus
Bloom time: late
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
This butterfly-shaped beauty flutters in the breeze, emitting a scent that is off the charts. Flowers have a petite, yellow center ringed in scarlet and surrounded with clean, white, slightly reflexed petals. ‘Actaea’ evokes a tropical feeling. Long, strong stems make this large heirloom beauty an excellent cut flower—a must-grow!
Please note: When cut, daffodils and narcissus emit a toxic sap that can cause skin irritation. Use caution and wear gloves when harvesting.
Details
Height: 14 to 16 in
Type: poeticus
Bloom time: late
Site: full sun
Type: poeticus
Bloom time: late
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
Sources
How to Grow
Summer Mini Course
Learn how to grow, harvest & arrange beautiful cut flowers
In our upcoming three-part video series, you’ll learn a simple step to double the number of blooms your plants produce, how to cut and care for your flowers for the longest vase life, and how to make mixed bouquets quickly and efficiently.
