WHITBYFRME PIRSS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4,1990, PAGE 29- Daffodils herald the coming of spring Canadians still may be struggling in winter's grasp but in Holland, the land of bull, flowers, spring is ready to burst into bloom and the Dutch are busy growing and sending daffodils our way. In March, the supply of al inds of daffodils reaches its peak. Traditionally, daffodils mean large, yellow flowers. From the popularity of cultivars such as 'Carlton,' 'Dutch Master,' 'Yellow Sun' and ' Golden Harvest,' it's plain that the public preference for golden-hued, Iarge-cupped and trumpet Narcissus (as they are properly called) continues unabated. In fact, 'Carlton' alone accounts for more than half of al the eut daifodils sold teday.. Its popularity with growers lies in its ability to, be forced easily andl its consistently excellent qualit from December, (when it is grown i greenhouses)through spring (when it grows in the fields of Holland). In fact, in most parts of the western world, if you buy a bunch of daffodils,9 chances are nine ont of 10 that you will get one of those -- or perhaps '-Ice FoUlies,' an unusual daffodil with a white perianth (outer ring of petais) and large cup that starts ont light yellow bnt which turns almost white after it is open for a few days. Other varieties of Narcissus which are sold in far more modeat quaintities but score highly with flower loyers, are the double daffodils 'Clheerfines' and ' Dick Wilden' and the scented ones, called jonquils, like «'Cragford.' BUY TBEM IN THE BUD Professional growers always harvest and sdli daffodils while thy are stillinh the bud stage. When purchasing cut flowers, choos those that are stiil closed. In this "tte, the flower is protected somewhat from damage during the long route from nursery, te flower auction, te wholesaler, te retailer te you. Furthermore, yon then have a cut flower which will last far longer ini the vase at home than one which has already 'sprunge open - as the growers oeil it. Occasionally you may find a daffodil that does flot burst forth from its protecting sktin. Carefully elice it open te release the bloom. Cnt daffodils can inhibit the bloondng of other flowers if combined in the same vase because of a fluid daffodils secrete. You can neutralize this somewhat by first standing the daffodils for a few hours in a bucket of water to which a few drops of liquid household bleach has been added. Let them absorb lots of water and do not re-cut the ends of the stem before arranging them in a vase. Bulbflowerrng the sweet soent o8f rn Cut flowers are a delight to the oye and sometimies to the nase, too. Dutch hybridizers have for year expenimented to croate new varieties with characterjstics such as stronger stems and longer vase life. Now, ;fragrance once agan is ta"ing entre stage ini their efforts. When it comes ito bulb flowors, hyacinths and ies undoubtedly corne firet to, min4 but that le juet the tip of the icéIýerg. Look at al the other pleaeantly acented types that grow froum bulbe and tubers. Other spzing-flowering bulbe that have a lovely aroma. include thaî group of Narcises known as jonqinls whi s us the white color), 'YoIlow Cheerfulneee' (soft yollow), « Cragford?' (white perianth, yellow cup) and 'Geranium' (also white and yellow). 1'he little one called 'Suzy' (yellow and orange) emells delicious but jes ooemail, it is hardly ever used as a cut flower. Arnong daffodls, the moet strongly scented, of course, ie the woll-known Paperwhite. I fact, a bunch of them will fil a large room with penetrating fragrance and can be alnoet overpowering. Man lien, to%,aesrpl wenUZ such as the rgold-rayed lily, L. auratum; the Madonna lily, L. canididum, c- regarded as the leading cut-flower in this l oep; the Japanese lily ha * ag pure white trumpet-shaped flowers, L. longiflorum; the royal Miy, L. regalo, which some people think smelsli ke honeysuckle, and L. specioegum, which spreads a deliclous mcent. Tulipe are not often thought of for thoir fragrance. However, many of them do bear a délicate SEE PAGE 34 ýS ATE F I/\V*r , ARFU1L 7T-Hî- F~%N~The Backyard Collection features a complete line jof Weber and Broul King K Y R R 13BQ's & ketties. An ever- 9RÈCKYRR Ij array of unique iems for garden & patio liing, plus Beka Victorian 1501 Hopkins St. Unit #4 & #5 (N.E. corner of Hopkin St. & ConsumerM Dr.) FIREPLACE Perfect for poolside or camping SALE, $1 49-95 Gives realsmoke house flavor to meat & fsh $229.95-l s DESERTSMOKE MESQUITE Gourmet smoking chips, enables you to smoke foods on your.awn BBQ. OPENINGi SPECIAL 3/$5.00 i vW 1 1 w - 1