Bright, vigorous and wonderfully effective when planted in quantity, Narcissus ‘California’ brings a welcome burst of traditional daffodil colour to the spring garden.

Its cheerful flowers make it an excellent choice for large-scale planting and naturalising, particularly where an established display is wanted that can return each spring with relatively little attention.

Plant California through lawns, along drives, on banks, beneath deciduous trees or in large garden borders. In extensive planting schemes, its greatest impact comes from using generous informal drifts rather than isolated groups.

Why We Chose It

California offers the combination we look for in a bulk daffodil: vigour, reliability, strong spring colour and suitability for naturalising.

Mr Middleton Verdict

A dependable choice when you have a lot of ground to cover. For maximum impact, think in hundreds rather than tens – daffodils become spectacular when allowed to dominate an area in spring.

Garden Designer’s Tip

Try combining California with later-flowering narcissi to extend the daffodil season. In grass, plant sweeping groups of different sizes rather than evenly spaced bulbs.

Planting & Growing

· Planting period: September–December

· Flowering: Spring

· Flower colour: Golden yellow

· Position: Full sun or partial shade

· Soil: Most reasonably well-drained garden soils

· Planting depth: Approximately 10–15cm

· Spacing: Approximately 10–15cm apart

· Naturalising: Excellent

· Hardiness: Fully hardy

Plant bulbs with the pointed end upwards. Water after planting if conditions are particularly dry.

When planting large quantities, prepare the soil well beforehand and incorporate organic matter where appropriate.

For stronger growth and flowering, apply Mr Middleton Seaweed Feed when planting and again as growth develops in early spring.

If growing in grass, resist the temptation to mow immediately after flowering. Leave the foliage until it has naturally yellowed and died down so that the bulbs can build up their reserves for the following year

Ideal For

Lawns, banks, orchards, woodland margins, large gardens, commercial landscapes, hotels, schools, golf courses and extensive naturalised planting.

Irish grown by Mr Middleton – Irish owned Irish gardening specialists since 1974.