Daffodil Narcissus 'Senara' (2)
ABOUT
The Narcissus 'Senara' is an elegant flowering plant that is part of the daffodil family. It typically blooms with a generous display of flowers, each consisting of a central cup or trumpet that is surrounded by a ring of six petal-like segments. The central cup often features a different color or shade compared to the surrounding segments. The petals are usually elongated and may be slightly curved back, giving the flowers a poised and graceful appearance. The blooms come in various shades depending on the specific cultivar but often feature a combination of creamy whites, soft yellows, or vibrant oranges. The leaves of the Narcissus 'Senara' are slender and long, providing a lush green backdrop that highlights the beauty of the flowers. The leaves and stems have a firm texture, capable of supporting the weight of the blooms. This daffodil variety typically displays its flowers in clusters, which further enhances their visual impact in any setting. They are commonly used in gardens for their lovely form and color and are equally popular as cut flowers due to their long-lasting nature and appealing fragrance. The overall appearance of Narcissus 'Senara' radiates a fresh and cheerful ambiance, making it a favorite choice to herald the arrival of spring.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Daffodil, Jonquil, Narcissus
Common names
Narcissus 'Senara'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as daffodil is toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of a daffodil can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. More severe reactions can include cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions, and in extreme cases, death if enough of the plant is consumed. The toxic compounds, including lycorine and other alkaloids, are concentrated in the bulb but are present in all parts of the plant.
To pets
The daffodil is toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. The consumption of any part of the daffodil can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, salivation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heart rhythm abnormalities, and possibly tremors or convulsions. The bulb contains the highest concentration of toxins, although the leaves, flowers, and stem are also poisonous. Severe poisoning can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot 4 inches (0.4 meters)
Spread
0 foot 6 inches (0.15 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Narcissus 'Senara' provides nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects, which is essential for the health of the ecosystem.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is known for its hardiness and its ability to thrive with minimal care, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Spring Color: With its bright blooms, it adds vibrant color to gardens and landscape designs after the dormant winter months.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The unique shape and color of the flowers make Narcissus 'Senara' a popular choice for cut flower arrangements and bouquets.
- Perennial Growth: As a perennial plant, it will return year after year, providing consistent beauty with less need to replant annually.
- Naturalizing: It has the ability to spread and naturalize in an area, filling out garden spaces and creating a more lush environment.
- Resistant to Deer: Narcissus 'Senara' is typically resistant to deer, which can help to keep gardens intact in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Art and Craft Inspiration: The distinctive shape and vibrant colors of the daffodil can serve as a muse for artists and crafters, inspiring paintings, sculptures, or textile designs.
- Photography Subject: Due to their aesthetic appeal, daffodils like 'Senara' are often used as subjects in botanical and landscape photography, being especially popular in the spring.
- Symbolic Gift: With their bright presence, daffodils are given as gifts to symbolize renewal or unrequited love, as reflected in various cultural and literary contexts.
- Wedding Bouquets and Decoration: Daffodils can be incorporated into springtime wedding decorations, bringing a touch of natural elegance and color to the event.
- Educational Tool: In botany classes or gardening workshops, the growing cycle and characteristics of the daffodil provide useful examples for teaching plant biology.
- Garden Competition Plant: Daffodils are commonly entered into gardening competitions due to their variety and the skill required to cultivate them to perfection.
- Dye Source: Historically, daffodils have been used as a source of dye for fabrics and other materials, though this practice is less common today.
- Fragrance Extraction: While not as common as other flowers, daffodils can be used in the production of perfumes, particularly special artisan or boutique scents.
- Floral Arrangements for Celebrations: Daffodils often feature in floral displays for special occasions such as Easter, due to their association with spring and rebirth.
- Eco-friendly Packaging Decoration: Fresh or dried daffodils can be used to decorate eco-friendly packaging, adding a natural and compostable embellishment.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Narcissus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Rebirth and New Beginnings: The Narcissus, commonly known as the daffodil, is often associated with the renewal spring brings, symbolizing rebirth and the start of something new.
- Unrequited Love: Drawing from the Greek myth of Narcissus, the daffodil can also be a symbol of self-love and the idea of being consumed by one's own affection.
- Hope and Inspiration: The bright bloom of the daffodil is seen as a sign of hope, encouragement, and inspiration to overcome challenges.
- Vanity and Egotism: Again, due to the Greek mythology association, daffodils can represent excessive self-focus and vanity.
- Prosperity and Wealth: In some cultures, daffodils are considered to bring good fortune and are seen as a sign of prosperity.
- Respect and Regard: Presenting daffodils to someone can express respect and high regard for the person.
WaterDaffodils, including the Narcissus 'Senara', should be watered thoroughly at planting time and then watered once a week while they are actively growing and blooming, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Generally, this means giving them about an inch of water weekly, which equates to slightly less than half a gallon for a small cluster of bulbs. Once the flowers start to die back, reduce watering as the plant prepares to go dormant. Over-watering or allowing them to sit in water can lead to bulb rot.
LightDaffodils prefer full sun to partial shade. The ideal location for Narcissus 'Senara' is a spot where they can receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. These plants can tolerate some light afternoon shade but bloom best when exposed to full morning sunlight. Do not place them in deep shade, as this will reduce flowering.
TemperatureDaffodils like Narcissus 'Senara' thrive in temperatures between 50°F and 60°F during their growth and blooming period. They are hardy and can survive winter temperatures down to about 20°F, but they generally do not do well in environments that exceed a consistent 70°F as this can inhibit blooming. Ideally, plant them in an area where the temperature remains within their preferred range.
PruningPruning Daffodils such as Narcissus 'Senara' consists mainly of deadheading spent flowers to promote bulb strength but avoid cutting green foliage. Once the blooms fade, remove only the flower head, leaving the stem and leaves intact until they yellow and wither, typically 6 to 8 weeks after flowering. This process allows the plant to store energy in the bulb for next season's growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilDaffodils like Narcissus 'Senara' prefer well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix containing loamy soil, sand, and compost is ideal as it ensures proper drainage and fertility. Adding bone meal to the soil mix can benefit the plant's growth and bloom.
RepottingDaffodils such as Narcissus 'Senara' do not need frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. They should be repotted only when the clumps become overcrowded, typically every 3 to 4 years, to maintain vigour and flower production.
Humidity & MistingNarcissus 'Senara' daffodils do not require high humidity and can thrive in average room humidity conditions. These plants are quite adaptable, but it is best to avoid extremely dry air to keep the foliage in good condition.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moderately moist.
Outdoor
Plant bulbs in fall, full sun or partial shade, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of a Daffodil 'Senara' begins with the germination of a bulb, which upon planting in the fall, remains dormant until the cooler temperatures give way to spring. During early to mid-spring, green shoots emerge from the soil, followed by the development of long, slender leaves and a central flower stalk. The stalk bears a single bloom with a trumpet-shaped corona surrounded by six petal-like tepals, typically showing a vibrant yellow hue. After flowering, which can last up to 6 weeks, the plant goes into a period of seed development, though many gardeners remove spent flowers to encourage bulb strength. As the foliage dies back, the plant enters a dormant phase during the summer, where the bulb stores energy for the next growth cycle. In the subsequent fall, the cycle repeats as the bulb breaks dormancy and begins to put forth new shoots.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The Narcissus 'Senara', commonly known as daffodil, is most commonly propagated through division, often done in the late summer to autumn, after the leaves have died back. Gardeners carefully dig up the bulbs, gently separating the offsets, which are the small bulbs that grow at the base of the main bulb. These offsets can be replanted immediately at a depth of about 6 inches (15 centimeters), spaced approximately 3-6 inches (7.5-15 centimeters) apart, in well-drained soil with good sunlight exposure. This simple and effective method ensures the development of new flowering plants in the following spring. By dividing the bulbs every few years, gardeners can help maintain the plant's vigor and prevent overcrowding.
