March birth flowers: daffodil and jonquil
The traditional birth flowers for March, what they meant in the Victorian language of flowers, and how to grow them.
Daffodil (the wild daffodil, called the Lent lily in parts of the UK)
Narcissus pseudonarcissus
A small trumpet daffodil up to 35cm tall, with a deep yellow trumpet and paler yellow petals, flowering in spring. (RHS)
In the language of flowers
“Regard” (Greenaway). Dumont groups it with the narcissus: “Self-love”.
Growing it
Plant the bulbs in autumn, at one and a half to two times their own depth, in sun or partial shade. It tolerates most soils but prefers moderately fertile soil that drains well and stays moist while it’s growing, and it’s hardy throughout the UK.
Take care: Harmful to people, dogs, cats and tortoises if eaten, and can irritate skin: wear gloves when handling. (RHS)
Sources: RHS
Jonquil
Narcissus jonquilla
Clusters of small, very fragrant, deep yellow flowers with tiny cups, on stems up to 30cm, with long slender leaves; it flowers in late spring. (RHS)
In the language of flowers
“I desire a return of affection” (Greenaway). Dumont says “Desire”.
Growing it
Plant bulbs 3 to 5 inches deep in fall, in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, ideally rich sandy loam. It flowers in April and May in Missouri and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 and throughout the UK.
Take care: Harmful to people, dogs, cats and tortoises if eaten, and can irritate skin: wear gloves when handling. (RHS)
Sources: RHS, Missouri Botanical Garden
About birth flowers
Birth flowers are a tradition, not a rule: lists vary a little, and no one body sets them. The meanings here come from two Victorian flower dictionaries, Kate Greenaway’s Language of Flowers (1884) and Henrietta Dumont’s The Language of Flowers (1851). Both are free to read on Project Gutenberg.
How each flower looks and grows comes from the Royal Horticultural Society and the Missouri Botanical Garden, linked under each flower. Where US and UK names differ, the US name comes first.