Jonquilla daffodil (Narcissus 'Fruit Cup')
Narcissus 'Fruit Cup' is a fragrant Jonquilla daffodil, blooming in April-May with showy, greenish-white flowers. Low maintenance and deer resistant.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ is a celebrated Jonquilla daffodil admired for its elegant structure and pleasant scent, making it a staple for early and mid-spring displays. Belonging to Division VII, this cultivar offers narrow, reed-like foliage topped with up to three fragrant flowers, distinguishing it from trumpet types. Gardeners value this reliable perennial bulb for its low maintenance requirements and its resilience against common garden pests.
This Jonquilla daffodil thrives best in full sun, though it tolerates partial shade, providing excellent adaptability for various garden settings. Its bloom time in mid to late spring showcases greenish-white perianth segments contrasted by a distinctive pale yellow cup that fades to white as it matures. Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking lasting, naturalizing spring color without demanding constant attention.
Planting Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ in the fall ensures vibrant return performances year after year, gradually increasing in performance if left undisturbed. These highly desirable bulbs provide a welcome splash of color when few other flowers are available, anchoring the transition from winter dormancy to full spring production.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Greenish white with pale yellow cup
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant these classic Jonquilla daffodil bulbs in early to mid-fall to ensure root development before the ground freezes. They prefer average, medium-moisture, well-drained soils, with excellent drainage being crucial to prevent bulb rot. Site them where they can receive full sun, or supplement with part shade, positioning them so that any light shade areas fall to the rear of your planting.
For planting depth, cover the base of the bulb with at least 3 inches of soil; generally, this means planting the bulb 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb itself is tall. Space the bulbs between 4 and 10 inches apart, noting that smaller spacings result in a denser display sooner. Water them moderately during the growing season, though Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ is quite drought-tolerant once dormant.
After the fragrant flowers of Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ fade in spring, resist the urge to cut back the foliage immediately. Allow the leaves to yellow naturally until they begin to die back, as this process replenishes the bulb’s energy stores for the next season. Only remove the top portion of the spent flower stem if desired to discourage seed production.
These bulbs naturalize beautifully, meaning clumps can be left undisturbed for many years. If blooming quantity declines, it is time to divide; gently dig up the clumps just as the foliage dies back and replant them to rejuvenated areas.
Landscape Uses
Daffodils, unlike many other spring bulbs, are famous for returning faithfully and increasing in number over time, making Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ an excellent candidate for permanent landscape installations. They are ideally suited for mass plantings, where large drifts of 6 or more bulbs create the most impact, mimicking a naturalized sweep of color. Consider planting them in beds, along borders, or beneath deciduous shrubs and trees where they receive sun in early spring before summer canopy closes over.
Because the foliage of the Jonquilla daffodil type is narrower and more refined than some larger varieties, Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ blends seamlessly with other spring bloomers like scilla, grape hyacinth, or early tulips. Their ability to naturalize means they perform well in wilder garden settings or within open woodland areas.
For structured gardens, group planting near the front of borders ensures their mid-spring fragrance and showy blooms are easily appreciated before the summer perennials take over. Since they are pest-free and low maintenance, they require very little fuss once established.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Narcissus is a genus of about 50 species of bulbous perennials famous as a mainstay of the spring garden. ‘Fruit Cup’ specifically is categorized as a jonquillia daffodil (Division VII), characterized by 1 to 5 usually fragrant flowers per stem, featuring spreading perianth segments and a small cup. This particular cultivar rises about 12-14 inches tall, displaying greenish-white petals and a pale yellow cup that lightens to near white with age. The narrow, reed-like, dark green leaves of this Jonquilla daffodil create an upright, attractive clump even when not in bloom.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
Potential Problems
With proper soil culture, daffodils are generally robust, noted for being almost pest-free regarding serious insect or disease issues. The primary threat to Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ is bulb rot, which occurs exclusively in soils that drain poorly and remain waterlogged, especially during the dormant season. Address this by ensuring the planting site has excellent drainage, perhaps by amending heavy soil with grit or compost.
Infrequent pests can include slugs and snails when young, or occasionally narcissus bulb fly or narcissus nematode. Monitor closely for signs of pest activity early in the developing season. The yellow stripe virus is an infrequent concern, but generally, this resilient Jonquilla daffodil is avoided entirely by deer and rabbits due to its natural toxicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Jonquilla daffodil suitable for?
Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 1 to 1.5 feet tall, with a spread of 0.5 to 0.75 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ need?
It performs best in full sun but will happily grow in areas that receive partial shade.
When does Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ bloom?
You can expect blooms from April to May, displaying flowers that are greenish white with a pale yellow cup.
Conclusion
Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ remains a top choice for spring gardens due to its pleasing fragrance, manageable size, and exceptional longevity, thriving year after year without fuss. Incorporating this reliable Jonquilla daffodil guarantees a beautiful, pest-resistant display in the early season. Plan your fall planting schedule now to ensure you enjoy the showy blooms of Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ next spring.
Companion Planting for Daffodils
Daffodils provide structure and early color, making them ideal anchors for companion planting schemes. Since the foliage of Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ must remain intact while it yellows, pair it with summer perennials that emerge later or grow tall enough to conceal the fading leaves successfully. Consider planting tulips, late-emerging hostas, or peonies near the base of your Jonquilla daffodil clumps.
For an early spring palette, mix smaller bulbs like Chionodoxa (Glory-of-the-Snow) or Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) in drifts around the Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’. These smaller companions bloom slightly earlier, ensuring continuous color succession until your daffodil reaches its peak flowering time in April and May.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring care for Narcissus ‘Fruit Cup’ is straightforward: focus on cleanup after blooming. Once the petals drop, deadhead the spent flowers to prevent seed formation, but absolutely avoid cutting the foliage. The leaves need time to absorb energy back into the bulb for next year’s prolific bloom.
Summer is the season of rest; avoid disturbing the area where the bulbs are planted. If you are dividing clumps because blooms have diminished, plan this for late summer to early fall, just after the foliage has completely withered.
Preparing for winter involves ensuring adequate soil moisture before the ground freezes completely if the autumn was unusually dry, as this helps establish the bulb reserves for the following spring. Do not apply heavy fertilizers now; wait until mid-spring if you choose to feed established patches.
