Bulbocodium daffodil, scientifically known as Narcissus triandrus, is a charming wild species native to the rocky pastures and woodlands of Spain and Portugal. This delicate spring bloomer earns its poetic common name, angel's tears, from the way its flower heads gracefully droop on slender stems. Growing just 6 to 12 inches tall, it produces creamy white to pale yellow flowers with distinctly recurved petals and a small rounded cup, often clustered in groups of two to four (sometimes up to six) per stem. Hardy from zones 4 through 9, this fragrant and showy bulb thrives in moderate moisture and handles both drought and deer with ease, making it a low-maintenance treasure for spring gardens.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-9
12in H x 12in W
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Moderate
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The drooping flower clusters that inspired the common name angel's tears create an almost ethereal quality in the garden. Each umbel displays multiple delicate flowers per stem, a rarity among miniature daffodils that gives this species outsized impact despite its diminutive stature. Creamy white to pale yellow tones with recurved petals and a small rounded cup create an intricate, almost otherworldly structure. The fragrance, combined with true deer and drought tolerance, means you can establish it in sites where other spring bulbs struggle.
Bulbocodium daffodils are grown primarily as ornamental spring bulbs for the garden and naturalized planting. Their compact height and elegant drooping flowers make them especially suited to rock gardens, alpine troughs, and small containers where their delicate form can be appreciated up close. They also naturalize well in woodland gardens and meadows, creating drifts of pale color in early spring.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bulbs outdoors in early to mid fall. No transplanting from indoors is necessary; bulbs are planted directly in their final location.
After spring flowers have bloomed, you may remove the top portion of each flower stem to prevent seed formation, as practical. Do not cut back the foliage until it begins to yellow, as the green leaves continue to photosynthesize and feed the bulb for the following season.
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“Narcissus triandrus is a wild species native to rocky pastures and woodlands in Spain and Portugal. As a species classification within Division XIII of the Narcissus genus, it represents an unimproved wild form rather than a modern hybrid, preserving the genetic heritage of daffodils as they evolved in Iberian landscapes. This plant has been cultivated for centuries, valued by gardeners for its authentic wildflower character and miniature proportions.”