Narcissus ‘February Gold’

Cultivar names can often embroider a plant’s qualities but I have found that in most years Narcissus ‘February Gold’ lives up to its promise.  There are other daffodils that flower as early, or earlier, but none are as robust and easy-to-grow as this one.  It clumps up quickly and if you divide the clumps every few years you will have large colonies.  When the drifts of bright golden yellow flowers appear you can start to believe the winter is over.  There is a demure, pale-flowered variety, N. ‘February Silver’, but at this time of year I prefer plants with a bit of punch.