Fragrant daffodils

9 years ago

This may be too specific of a question and may not have an answer... Does anyone know of a northern climate daffodil that has an amazing fragrance like the southern Erlicheer? I used to grow Erlicheer in Texas and it was just about my favorite fragrant flower of all time. I brought my bulbs with me to Indiana when we moved, but it isn't rated for northern climates and doesn't seem to be doing well. It seems like most of the other daffodils I've tried either aren't particularly fragrant, or even smell terrible (Ziva paper whites - yucK!!!). I'm so sad to not have my bouquets of Erlicheer! Suggestions?

Featured Answer

katob Z6ish, NE Pa

9 years ago

I've found Erlicheer to be hardy enough for z6 and maybe 5 but unfortunately like you've seen, it sprouts too early and can't take the ups and downs of a real winter. The growth dies back and then finally one winter a real cold snap will kill it all. A warm microclimate might actually hurt your chances. Keeping it in a cooler spot might hold it back.... but mine died out in the open garden so that's only a maybe suggestion.

Another option might be that you dig the bulbs after the foliage dies back and store the bulbs somewhere warm and dry all summer. Either plant them real late in the fall just before things freeze or real early spring and it might work.

....or try a different one. I'd say Geranium or its double version Sir Winston Churchill, both are perfect here in z6 and very fragrant. Some jonquils such as hillstar or pipit are also fragrant, but they come up early as well and look terrible some springs when there's a midwinter thaw to get them going.

another early growing, but later flowering jonquilla 'Kokopelli' with freeze damage on the leaf tips.

geranium. One of my favorites, maybe it can be your new erlicheer even if it's not quite as fragrant.

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Comments (13)

PineBarrenGardener
9 years ago
Good luck, Julia. I love my daffodils, but most are hand me down, un-named bulbs. None are fragrant so I can not help or respond.
posierosie_zone7a
9 years ago
Where do you have them planted? Your property might have micro zones or pockets that heat up more than others.

I would try planting a few against your foundation facing south with as much sun as possible. The more concrete nearby (heat absorption) the better. I have a dahlia going strong near my front steps and heater vent. All the others died (as they should in my zone!).
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juliaarugula
Original Author
9 years ago
I actually do have them planted against to south side of the house. I don't know - maybe they'll be later here than I'm used to. In Texas, they were the first of my daffodils to bloom. Here, they sent foliage up in the fall last year and it got burned by winter. Now that same foliage (green halfway up but burned at the tips) is pretty much just sitting there, no new growth, no buds. But maybe they'll perk up a little later in the season. But all my other daffs are looking fantastic...
posierosie_zone7a
9 years ago
Hmmm.... I'm encouraged the green shoots are hanging in there. I'm not sure what to expect per se with your particular variety. Maybe someone else might chime in.
vesfl (zone 5b/6a, Western NY)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I second 'Geranium,' my favorite as well. Old House & Garden lists it as lightly fragrant and 'Avalanche' (another tazetta) as richly fragrant, but it's reverse in my garden. Among other daffodils that I have, 'Actaea' and 'Yellow Cheerfulness' (double) also have a nice scent. All these are reliable bloomers for me, zone 5b/6a.
User
9 years ago
I admit to finding the scent of Geranium quite oppressive. N.poeticus and also Actaea are also fragrant but not in a nice way (although Paperwhites take the cake as the most ghastly whiff). Quite a few of the springtime scents are not pleasant to my nose - hyacinth for example...although both primula vulgaris and the tiny jonquilla narcissus Baby Moon have a sharply penetrating scent which is sweetly floral with nothing of that heavy musk which just seems inappropriate for the fresh green of spring.

Which goes to show how terribly subjective fragrance can be.
posierosie_zone7a
9 years ago
Yes, definitely scents are personal and I have a terrible sense of smell which is why I spoke more of microzones than a scent replacement. I just realized one of my daffodils has a rather strong scent - I had no idea until I started talking some allergy medicine!
juliaarugula
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes, I used to find it interesting the compare the scents of Erlicheer and Ziva. It was obvious to me that the scents were similar, in the same family. Yet Erlicheer smells heavenly to me and Ziva reminds me of cat urine. Hence, my assumption that this might be a difficult question to answer.... But I'll try some of the suggestions -thank you!! Even if I end p not liking the scent, I figure the worst that could happen will be that I have a pretty flower that I avoid sniffing...
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
9 years ago
Where are you located in Indiana? I'm in zone 6b in southern Indiana and I grow numerous cultivars that are fragrant.

Might it be possible to attend a show and see for yourself what you like that is hardy, grown in your area, and that is fragrant? There are always volunteers handy to answer questions.

There is a show in Cincinnati today and there are numerous shows coming up that might be fairly close to you or that might make a nice day trip.

April 21 and 22 Indianapolis Indiana, Indiana Daffodil Society

April 26 and 27 Niles Michigan (just across the Indiana/Michigan state line) also sponsored By The Indiana Daffodil Society

There are also shows coming up in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as other states.

Daffodil Shows and Events Calender

Division 7 – Jonquilla Daffodils and Division 8 – Tazetta Daffodils are usually nicely scented. Some cultivars from other divisions are fragrant too. Fragrant Rose which is a Division 2, is fragrant and I think that it smells just like a rose.

Daffodil Divisions

Sue
vesfl (zone 5b/6a, Western NY)
9 years ago
Julia, most of these that we suggested bloom later than Erlicheer,-- you might want to keep it in mind when deciding on companion plants. FWIW, I also find the scent of 'Ziva' unpleasant...
juliaarugula
Original Author
9 years ago
Chemocurl, that's a great suggestion - thanks! I live in the South Bend area, so super close to Niles! I'll have to go to the show - can't wait!
KarenPA_6b
9 years ago
Some of my daffodils that smell nice to me are Chapelet, Palmares, Fragrant Rose. Fragrant Rose is a wonderful robust grower. The flowers last a long time too.

Fragrant Rose