By 
Nick Van der Zon started growing daffodils around 40 years ago, since then he’s set up a specialist breeding company with his brother called, M.H. Van der Zon and Zn.
He lives in the Netherlands right at the heart of ‘Bollenstreek,’ Dutch bulb growing region, and specialises in growing and producing narcissus, tulipa, and dahlia bulbs. The sandy soil loam around the local coastal area makes this part of the Netherlands perfect for growing bulbs of all kinds.
He’s always on the look out for the next big daffodil flower. Nick has produced an all-white daffodil which is becoming popular for weddings. An all-white daffodil always forms with a yellow trumpet first and then turns white, he notes.
The company is known for their breeding efforts, particularly in developing pot plant narcissi, with varieties like Akita, Carice, Iwona, Lady Madonna, and Kapiti Peach.
Nick says:
Tête-à-tête is past… Now we’ve got a better [variety], a new one.”
This single variety still makes up around half of all daffodils grown in the Dutch bulb growing region.
Nick is a regular contributor to the Keukenhof’s narcissus show and believes it is a great place to showcase new varieties of daffodil.
Selecting daffodils
There are 12 main groups of daffodils starting with trumpet daffodils at 1 and going to split-corona at the other end in 11 and a miscellaneous category at 12 for anything that doesn’t fit in between.
Galley: Daffodil showcase of varieties >>>
Rip van winkle is another popular miniature daffodil grown in many gardens internationally. This variety is a good example of double daffodils. These blooms have multiple rows of petals, resembling peonies or carnations.
Nick says that he has a number of criteria for selecting new daffodil plants for further growing. He says it is colour; whether the plant looks at you (flower facing up rather than pointing down); length of stem and if the sun causes a bleaching effect on the bloom and its colours.
More on Dutch bulb growing: Tulips >>>
WorldRadioGardening.com
Let Ken Crowther help you with gardening tips and advice, – send him a question for his live show broadcast every third Sunday of the month on City Sound Radio. WhatsApp pictures and text to +44 7568 771825 to get an answer.
Alternatively ask Ken a question about garden plants and jobs by sending an email.
We’re delighted to have Gro-rite Horticulture sponsoring World Radio Gardening, find out about automatic pot watering systems available for mail order delivery.
Also, don’t forget – if you like what we do, why not tip Ken and team with a coffee – Buy us a coffee – as a thank you for the work done to bring this website to life.
