There is also no official, agreed-upon maximum height for a Miniature Daffodil. I personally use the following rule: if it typically grows to 10" (25 cm) or less, it's a Miniature (athough many are much shorter).
Mind you, Miniature Daffodils aren't just shorter than standard daffodils. They've been specifically created to be petite in all their physical characteristics. For example, take a look at this photo of a blossom from the variety "Quince":
Miniature Daffodils are diminutive versions of standard daffodils. They have been selected or cultivated from existing species or varieties, and retain the basic form, blooming habits, colours, and the hardiness of these standard varieties.
For example, "Little Gem" and "King Alfred" are both varieties which belong to Division 1 (Trumpet Daffodils). "Little Gem" resembles "King Alfred" in all respects except size, to the extent that it is sometimes even sold under the name "Mini King Alfred".
Because of their diminutive features, Miniature Daffodils can be overwhelmed if planted next to large flowers or bushes. However, they are very good choices for rock gardens, for containers (such as window boxes), and are excellent for indoor forcing.
Some of the most popular Miniature varieties are described below. A variety which is fragrant is indicated by an asterisk (*) after its name.
| Variety name | Division | Height | Colour and form | Flowering time | Hardiness zones | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Moon* | Jonquilla (7) | 4 - 10" (10 - 25 cm) | golden yellow | mid to late spring | 5 - 9 | may have as many as five blossoms per stalk; each blossom is approximately 3/4" to 1" in diameter, with petite petals and a tiny cup; blossoms have a lovely sweet fragrance |
| Canaliculatus* | Tazetta (8) | 4 - 6" (10 - 15 cm0 | white petals (slightly bent back) and short yellow-orange cups | mid spring | 6 -10 | 3 to 7 flowers per stem; exceptionally sweet fragrance; excellent for indoor forcing. |
| Golden Bells | Bulbocodium Hybrids (10) | 4 - 8" (10 - 20 cm) | extremely large yellow trumpet with very small, pointed, yellow petals; it somewhat resembles the Species Daffodil Hoop Petticoat | mid to late spring | 6 - 10 | produces 5-10 flowers from one bulb; good as a container plant, in the garden, or for indoor forcing; forces with a very short cold period; best in moist, humus-containing soil |
| Hawera* | Triandrus (5) | 5 - 8" (12 - 20 cm) | many dainty, pendulant, bell-shaped cups of pale yellow with swept-back petals | late spring | 4 - 9 | forces beautifully in pots |
| Baby Moon | Golden Bells | Hawera |
|---|---|---|
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| Variety name | Division | Height | Colour and form | Flowering time | Hardiness zones | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jumblie | Miscellaneous (12) | 5 - 7" (12 - 18 cm) | several flowers per stem; yellow petals flare almost straight back from a very long, straight, yellow-orange cup | early mid-spring | 4 - 8 | excellent for rock gardens |
| Kidling* | Jonquilla (7) | 3 - 4" (8 - 10 cm0 | all-yellow flower with grass-like foliage | very late spring | 5 - 9 | excellent for rock gardens, or as a companion to bonsai; has a wonderful fragrance |
| Little Gem* | Trumpet (1) | 4 - 5" (10 - 12 cm0 | bright yellow petals with a slightly golden yellow cup; it strongly resembles the King Alfred variety | early spring | 4 - 7 | looks great in small containers, or in the garden with other tiny, early blooming flowers; is also excellent as an indoor forcer |
| Minnow* | Tazetta (8) | 5 - 8" (12 - 20 cm0 | 3 - 5 blossoms per stem; creamy white petals with tiny, buttercup-yellow cups; | mid spring | 5 - 9 | wonderful fragrance; flowers abundantly; very good for naturalizing |
| Jumblie | Little Gem | Minnow |
|---|---|---|
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| Variety name | Division | Height | Colour and form | Flowering time | Hardiness zones | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rip Van Winkle | Double (4) | 4 - 10" (10 - 25 cm) | completely double yellow flowers, with green segments interspersed; both the petals and trumpet are split into many narrow segments; as a result, it looks like a cactus dahlia or a dandelion | mid spring | 4 - 8 | Latin name: pumilis plenus |
| Sun Disc* | Jonquilla (7) | 5 - 10" (12 - 25 cm) | very round, overlapping, pale yellow petals forming a disk-shaped flower with a shallow, darker yellow cup; dark green, narrow foliage | very late spring | 4 - 9 | has a sweet fragrance |
| Tête-à-Tête | Miscellaneous (12) | 5 - 8" (12 - 20 cm) | slightly reflexed (bent back) buttercup yellow petals and a long slender trumpet; usually has 2 flowers per stem (in French "tête-á-tête" means "head to head") | early spring | 4 - 9 | the most popular miniature daffodil for indoor forcing; easy to grow; blooms prolifically; excellent for naturalizing |
| W. P. Milner | Trumpet (1) | 5 - 8" (12 - 20 cm) | has twisted petals; petals and trumpet are both cream coloured; somewhat resembles the variety Silver Bells | mid spring | 4 - 7 | none |
| Rip Van Winkle | Sun Disc | W. P. Milner |
|---|---|---|
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Last modified: October 12, 2008
