There’s more to daffodils than meets the eye | Whistlefish English Fields x Cornwall Wildlife Trust
We love daffodils in the UK (as the world's biggest exporter of daffodil bulbs, it's a good thing too!) After the cold winter, we welcome the sight of glorious daffodils in parks, across fields and popping out of grass verges up and down the country.
Photo: Early daffodil blooms at Fentongollan Farm, Cornwall
In spring daffodils are displayed in small bunches on coffee tables and are often also presented as gifts to accompany a Mother's Day card. Daffodils are almost certainly a staple for any spring tablescape and essential to your Easter decorations.
Whistlefish has teamed up with Cornwall Wildlife Trust once again in light of this beautiful and bright collection to show our ongoing support to preserve nature in Cornwall. A portion of the funds raised during February will be donated to the CWT.
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust was founded in 1962 their goal was and still is, to maintain and preserve nature in Cornwall by protecting areas that allow wildlife to flourish. They have greatly succeeded in many areas of Cornwall; in grassland, meadows, woodland and in the sea. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust are passionate about conservation and focuses on restoring these habitats, allowing nature to blossom not only for the environment but for people as well.
A word from Cornwall Wildlife Trust:
There’s more to daffodils than meets the eye…
Did you know that there is a difference between the daffodils most of us plant in our gardens and the wild, native daffodil?
Wild daffodils (or, to use the full scientific name: Narcissus pseudo narcissus) are very similar to the garden varieties, but it’s possible to tell them apart.
First of all, they are smaller than their relatives in our gardens, somewhere between 20-35cm high. But don’t worry if you don’t have your tape measure when you’re out walking. There are other identification clues on offer. You can also recognise wild daffodils by their paler green leaves and stem. Their pale yellow petals surround a darker yellow trumpet, which makes it appear two-toned. And there’s a very important reason why it’s good to know the difference. If you happen to be wandering along – lonely as a cloud? – and come across a host of wild daffodils, please don’t pick them! Take a leaf out of Wordsworth’s book and just ‘gaze and gaze’. Although they were once abundant, these wildflowers are now much rarer, having declined in the 19th century due to habitat loss.
Wild daffodils photo by Vaughn Matthews @vaughnmatthews8
Wait a minute! You might be forgiven for thinking that wild daffodils are not rare… surely you see them everywhere? By the roadside, in your local park, next to the supermarket… No, sorry – those are the planted or escaped garden variety. To find wild daffodils, you’ll need to get a little more off the beaten track…
When and where to see wild daffodils
When? Easy. Spring: March to April is your best bet.
Where? Not quite so easy…
The native daffodil can be found in damp woodlands and meadows. In particular, you’re more like to see one in an ancient woodland. They can be found in parts of south Devon, the Black Mountains in Wales, the Lake District in Cumbria… and ‘The Daffodil Way’ – a 10-mile footpath in Gloucestershire – is a great place to spot them if you’re up for a bit of a tramp. " - Tom, Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
A portion of the funds raised from purchases in February will be donated to Cornwall Wildlife Trust to help support them in their ongoing effort to preserve wildlife and nature in Cornwall.
We'd love to see the daffodils near you, so please tag us in your daffodil photos @whistlefish and @cornwallwildlifetrust
Why can't you pick daffodils?
According to the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), it is illegal “to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier” meaning it is illegal to pick daffodils that have been planted in a public space such as a park or roundabout and someone's garden (of course). However, it is not against the law to pick wild daffodils for personal use, but it is frowned upon as many people love to see the flowers out in nature.
Find out more intriguing facts about Daffodils you don't know >
Many supermarkets, fresh produce shops and local village stores sell bunches of fresh daffodils for just £1 when they are in season. So if you love flowers and would like to put some in your home or give them as a gift, it's always best and more thoughtful to buy them.
