Description
N. poeticus ‘Spalding Double White’ (formerly ‘Plenus’)
4W-YYR
[Double 10]
(Origin unknown; since at least 1861, probably much older)
There are as many synonyms for double forms of N. poeticus as there are the sports themselves. It is unclear which taxa of this variable species tend to throw double sports which have then been selected and named. However, common sense suggests that the long, spreading, strongly-reflexed perianth segments of Pheasant’s Eye, N. poeticus var. recurvus, would not give rise to glistening, white, petaloid perianth segments of such breadth. The vestigial ruffles of a shallow, red-rimmed, rich yellow cup nestle at the centre of the Spalding form of “Double White” [whereas, in contrast, in the Tamar Valley selection the coronal petaloid segments are absent (or nearly so)]. Blooming in May into June the stormy spring weather is usually avoided, so the sweetly-scented, flawless flowers can be enjoyed. In warmer, drier districts find a cool, damp spot for the bulbs and plant them deep, to ensure sufficient moisture swells the flower-buds.
