Narcissus ‘Katie Heath’

As the temperatures begin to cool off and colors begin to change, gardeners begin to imagine their garden awash in spring bulbs. It is time to plant those darling beauties with the promise of next year. At the Scott Arboretum, we plant daffodils (a classic spring bulb) to emerge through herbaceous perennials such as the threadleaf bluestar, Amsonia hubrictii; Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’, and many perennial geraniums like Geranium ‘Rozanne’.

A ribbon of daffodils bloom among the trimmed winter foliage in the John W. Nason Garden. photo credit: R. Robert

Daffodils can truly be described as deer resistant.  Bulbs can be planted in the fall at a depth of 4 to 5 inches.  They will thrive best in full sun or under a high, light deciduous canopy.  After flowering, allow the leaves to turn yellow.  It is important to allow the foliage to photosynthesize and produce carbohydrates to be stored as energy in the bulbs to provide nutrients for the subsequent year’s flowers.

Narcissus 'Katie Heath' is named for plantsman Brent Heath’s mother, Katie Heath. photo credit: courtesy of Brent and Becky Bulbs

This Sunday, members of the Scott Associates can pick-up their fall dividend, Narcissus ‘Katie Heath’, at the Scott Associates Fall Festival. This is an exciting new selection of daffodil from the Virginia-based bulb purveyor, Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.

Narcissus 'Katie Heath' has a striking ivory color and very soft pink floral tubes. photo credit: courtesy of Brent and Becky Bulbs

Named for Brent Heath’s mother, Katie Heath, this is a selection from the Triandrus group of daffodils which is characterized by two or more pendant flowers with the perianth segments reflexed.  The reflexed perianth segments are a striking ivory and the floral tube is a very soft pink.  ‘Katie Heath’ reaches 10-12 inches tall in April and makes an excellent cut flower.