Daffodil
Subtitle: the remarkable story of the world's most popular spring flower
By: Noël Kingsbury ; with photographs by Jo Whitworth
Contributors: Whitworth, Jo
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Timber Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Portland, OR
Language: eng
Number of pages: 220
ISBN-13: 9781604693188
Subjects: Daffodils; History
Description: This book charts the remarkable story of the daffodil from the tombs of the Pharaohs, through pre-Darwin evolutionary theory, to Cornwall's burgeoning bulb business and diversification efforts by breeders seeking the definitive bloom.  Today's gardener's have a rich palette including the pink-cupped Backhouse hybrids, the star-like 'Firebrand' bred by Engleheart, and P.D. Williams's 'Killigrew', described as "perfect in form, balance, and quality."  Garden cultivation notes, description, and recommendations introduce the delights of the less well-known daffodils such as the fragrant Jonquils and windswept Narcissus cyclamineus without neglecting the classics such as bold, butter yellow 'King Alfred'.  Exquisite plant portraits combine with an engaging narrative to capture the spirit of these delightful spring flowers that immortalize the work of early plant breeders, offer a tempting array of plant options to gardeners, and bring continuing pleasure to all.--INSIDE FLAP.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Daffodil definitions; title: From the tombs of the pharaohs: early daffodil history; title: Travelling, changing, and multiplying: the nineteenth century; title: Cornwall: centre of the daffodil universe; title: Breeders and conservers: daffodil people; title: Gone native: daffodil colonies and hotspots; title: Daffodils in the garden.