The best of the best narcissi for early spring colour and scent - Episode 212

Narcissi are such rewarding plants to grow, tolerant of almost any site and situation. At Perch Hill in particular, it’s shaping up to be a stellar spring for the humble daffodil and its more diminutive narcissus relatives.

Whether it’s perenniality, perfume or punchy colours that you’re after in your own garden, in this week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ Sarah shares her personal edit of the longest-flowering and most fragrant narcissi varieties to grow.

In this episode, discover:

Why planting narcissi in your garden can be a viable alternative to tulips as the climate continues to changeTop varieties for long, light flowering patterns (flowering a little over a long period of time), fabulous fragrance, and superb perennialityHow best to plant your narcissi so that they stand out in a successional bulb lasagne

Products mentioned:

Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus ('Old Pheasant's Eye'): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-pheasants-eye

Narcissus 'Avalanche': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-avalanche

Narcissus 'Cragford' (Forcing): https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-cragford-for-forcing

Narcissus 'Starlight Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-starlight-sensation

Narcissus 'Moonlight Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-moonlight-sensation

Narcissus bulbocodium 'White Petticoat': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-bulbocodium-white-petticoat

Narcissus 'Pipit': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-pipit

Narcissus 'Minnow': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-minnow

Narcissus 'Actaea': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/narcissus-actaea

Dutch Iris Mix: https://www.sarahraven.com/products/dutch-iris-mix

Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation': https://www.sarahraven.com/products/allium-hollandicum-purple-sensation

Follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravenperchhill/

Get in touch: [email protected]
Shop on the Sarah Raven Website: http://bit.ly/3jvbaeu
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahravensgarden/
Order Sarah’s latest books: https://www.sarahraven.com/gifts/gardening-books?sort=newest

Welcome to grow, cook, eat, arrange, the weekly podcast from gardener, writer, teacher,and cook, Sarah Raven. Over the last two decades, Sarah has led the way by introducing a new kind of productive gardening which places emphasis on intense colour, sophistication, and achievability. Recorded at the beautiful Perch Hill Farm in Sussex, Sarah talks with special guests from across garden design, floristry, food, ecology, conservation, and more. Brimming with top tips and helpful hints, listen and learn how to create your most productive garden ever. You can find out more about the products discussed in each episode or get in touch by visiting the website: https://www.sarahraven.com/

• No. of episodes: 294
• Latest episode: 2025-06-05
• Arts Leisure Food Home & Garden

Where can you listen?