Narcissus Jonquilla is the true jonquil and is the 7th of the 13 Divisions of daffodils.Although they are listed as hardy from USDA Zones 5-9 they are most at home in areas with wet springs and hot,dry summers.
Jonquils have been popular in the South since colonial times and old types like Texas Star,Campernelle, and Louisiana Jonquil can still be found growing at old homesteads and cemeteries and along country roadsides.
Even though they have naturalized and escaped from gardens all over the southern states jonquils are European. Narcissus jonquilla is native to Spain and Portugal which has a similar climate to the warmer areas of the US.
Jonquils have several flowers per stem and are the most fragrant of all narcissus. Some of the newer hybrids have been bred to be larger but jonquils are naturally a small plant,no more than 8-10 inches tall.
Jonquils usually have wide, bell-shaped cups that are sometimes ruffled. Newer types may have much larger flowers and white petaled types with pink cups are becoming more popular.
The most distinguishing characteristic of narcissus jonquilla is its round blue-green leaves. Many newer hybrid jonquils have been crossed with tazetta type daffodils and may have the typical,wide,flat leaves of a daffodil. Almost all of the older garden jonquils have the round,rush-like leaves and small flowers.
Bell Song,the jonquil in the picture above is one of the newer types that has been crossed with another type of narcissus,probably a tazetta. If you look closely you can see that the leaves are wide and flat and not round like a true jonquil.
Jonquils Will Also Grow In Northern Gardens
Even though narcissus jonquilla is a southern favorite,gardeners in other regions can also grow jonquils successfully if certain simple steps are taken. Jonquil bulbs are planted just like any other daffodil.
In the desert or other areas with dry winters and springs you will need to make sure your bulbs get supplemental water during their growing season.
Jonquils should not be watered in the summer. They like to be in hot and dry soil during their dormant period so make sure they aren't planted a wet area.
In northern areas plant your bulbs as early as you can in an area of your yard that gets full sun during the spring and apply a thick mulch. If you're not sure if jonquils will do well in your garden try planting a few bulbs to see how they perform. If they do well you can always plant more next fall.
Jonquillas are generally late blooming and some of them will bloom for several weeks.
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