Daffodil 'Pride of Lions'

Lasting, robust blooms with bold colour. The flowers average 10cm across with a strong yellow perianth and a spreading, deep orange, mane of a corona. It has a slight fragrance but you have to get close.

In 2014 bulbsman and the Chairman of the Lisse Lions Club was so impressed with the big blooms he asked to name it for the International Lions Club, his other passion. It was bred by Karel van der Veek for Fluwel.

Every season we walk the paddocks, checking on our growing bulbs. As we go we notice some stand our more than others, this is our season’s selection.

From literal fields of strong contenders, we carefully selected our Top Ten Daffodil varieties. They are chosen above others based on their garden staying power, longevity of bloom, beauty and substance. They are certainly garden worthy.

Daffodils are easy and they like the simple things in life; plenty of sun and a well drained soil.

Plant Daffodil bulbs three times as deep as the bulb is high, with the pointy end up. The depth will protect them from heat and soil erosion, as well as providing strength for the stem. Space your Daffodils 10cm or apart. You can allow more space if you are leaving the bulbs in to naturalise. Planting them closer will give a more dramatic display. We like to plant ours three to a hole to create instant effects.

Once the flowering has finished you can remove the flower stem (this stops the plant focusing on seed production and will increase your bulb).

Allow the foliage to remain until it has yellowed as this is when the bulbs are gathering energy and nutrients for next year’s blooms. Keep the plants relatively moist during this time, and add a little general purpose fertiliser. Daffodils like Potash and slow release fertiliser brands which are low in nitrogen (this means more flowers and less foliage), and you won’t need much as they are not heavy feeders.

Daffodil ‘Pride of Lions’ is Division 2, Large-Cupped.