Jonquilla daffodil (Narcissus 'Pipit')
Narcissus 'Pipit' offers 2-6 fragrant, chartreuse yellow flowers per scape. Low maintenance Jonquilla in Zones 4-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Narcissus ‘Pipit’ is a highly valued member of the Jonquilla daffodil group, celebrated for its compact size and intense spring fragrance. This hybrid brings early color to the garden precisely when gardeners crave it, featuring 2 to 6 flowers per stem on slender scapes. The blooms emerge a vibrant chartreuse yellow, gracefully maturing to a soft ivory white, providing extended visual appeal.
As a low-maintenance bulb, Narcissus ‘Pipit’ multiplies readily when sited correctly, allowing borders to fill out year after year without requiring frequent division. They are excellent for naturalizing, offering reliable performance in USDA Zones 4 through 8 with minimal cultural fuss beyond proper planting depth.
Gardeners appreciate the Jonquilla daffodil family for its deer resistance and strong constitution. Planting Narcissus ‘Pipit’ ensures beautiful, fragrant cut flowers early in the season while adding essential structure to the emerging spring landscape.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Chartreuse yellow with cups maturing to ivory white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Narcissus ‘Pipit’ bulbs should occur in early to mid-fall before the ground freezes hard. Ensure the location receives full sun to part shade—if partial shade is chosen, position the planting so afternoon shade is minimized, as the flowers tend to face toward the sun. The soil must be well-drained; good drainage is paramount to prevent bulb rot, ideally utilizing an organically rich loam that stays uniformly moist during active growth in spring.
Dig holes deep enough to accommodate planting each bulb 2 to 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall, ensuring at least 3 inches of soil covers the top. Space the bulbs between 4 and 10 inches apart, depending on the desired initial density; wider spacing encourages clumps that require less division later on. A general planting depth for this variety is 3 to 6 inches deep, spaced 4 to 8 inches apart.
Water regularly to keep the soil medium moist while the foliage is actively growing in spring. Once flowering concludes in April, resist the urge to cut back the foliage; allow the leaves to completely yellow and die back naturally, usually mid-to-late spring, as this process replenishes the bulb’s energy stores. Only remove the spent flower stem tops to prevent seed development. If the performance of your Jonquilla daffodil begins to wane after several years, divide the clumps immediately after the foliage has fully yellowed.
Landscape Uses
Daffodils, including the fragrant Narcissus ‘Pipit’, are exceptional for providing reliable, long-lasting spring color, unlike many annual displays. They perform best when planted in mass groupings, aiming for sweeps of at least six bulbs to achieve a truly impactful drift effect. Use them liberally in mixed perennial borders, allowing the low-growing blooms to emerge before taller perennials fully leaf out.
These bulbs also naturalize beautifully beneath open woodlands or under deciduous trees where they receive full sun in early spring before canopy closure restricts light. Since Jonquilla daffodil hybrids are generally pest-free and tolerate drought once dormant, they are ideal for low-maintenance areas or naturalized meadows. Mix Narcissus ‘Pipit’ with other early spring bloomers like late-blooming tulips or scilla for layered color interest throughout April.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Narcissus is a genus of about 50 species of bulbous perennials from Europe and North Africa, forming a staple of the spring garden. ‘Pipit’ is specifically categorized as a jonquilla narcissus (Division VII), distinct for rising 8-12 inches tall and producing 2-6 very fragrant flowers per scape, whose small cups transition from chartreuse yellow to ivory white as they mature. These bulbs are easily grown, multiply rapidly, and can subsequently be left undisturbed for numerous seasons.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
Potential Problems
Daffodils, including the Jonquilla daffodil variety ‘Pipit’, boast a reputation for being nearly pest-free when cultural conditions are met. The most significant threat stems from poor cultural practices, primarily inadequate soil drainage, which can lead directly to bulb rot. Ensure your soil drains well to mitigate this risk.
Infrequent pests may include the narcissus bulb fly or narcissus nematode, and occasionally slugs or snails can damage emerging foliage. While rare, be aware of Narcissus yellow stripe virus. Fortunately, deer and rabbits typically avoid consuming Narcissus ‘Pipit’ foliage or bulbs due to natural toxins present within the plant tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Jonquilla daffodil suitable for?
Narcissus ‘Pipit’ is suitable for USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Narcissus ‘Pipit’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 foot tall, with a spread of 0.25 to 0.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Narcissus ‘Pipit’ need?
Narcissus ‘Pipit’ thrives best in full sun to part shade conditions.
When does Jonquilla daffodil bloom?
This bulb blooms in April, featuring chartreuse yellow flowers whose cups mature to ivory white.
Conclusion
The Jonquilla daffodil, specifically the Narcissus ‘Pipit’ cultivar, adds indispensable structure and a wonderful perfume to the early spring garden. Its low maintenance profile, coupled with excellent resistance to common pests like rabbits and deer, makes it a gardener’s reliable choice for years of enjoyment. Before this fall, ensure you select a perfectly drained site to plant your bulbs and watch for the stunning fragrance of Narcissus ‘Pipit’ next April.
Companion Planting
Companion planting near Narcissus ‘Pipit’ is simple due to its early blooming time and the fact that its foliage quickly dies back after flowering. Pair it with summer-blooming perennials that will emerge later to mask the fading daffodil leaves. Good companions include Hostas, Peonies, or early blooming Siberian Iris, all of which appreciate similar medium moisture levels during the active growing season.
Since Jonquilla daffodil prefers full sun in the spring, selecting companions that bloom later allows the daffodil light exposure when it is most needed. For container arrangements, plant Iris reticulata or low-growing spring annuals like Pansies or Violas around the base of the Narcissus ‘Pipit’ bulbs for an immediate, layered impact.
Propagation Tips
Narcissus ‘Pipit’ is known for multiplying rapidly, meaning division is the primary method of propagation when clumps become overcrowded. Bulbs can be left undisturbed for many years, but if the quality or quantity of blooms declines, it is time to divide. Wait until the foliage has completely yellowed in late spring or early summer; digging the bulbs must occur just after the foliage dies back.
Gently lift the entire clump using a garden fork, taking care not to nick the bulbs. Separate the offsets from the main mother bulb carefully by hand. When replanting the divided Jonquilla daffodil bulbs, adhere to the standard depth and spacing rules—planting deeper ensures better perennial performance and separation allows each bulb adequate resources to flower well the following year.
