Jonquil Flowers
Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla) is a highly fragrant daffodil species and horticultural group bearing clusters of small, usually yellow or creamy flowers on slender stems. It blooms in mid to late spring and is valued in gardens and as a cut flower for its sweet scent and cheerful color.
Occasions & recipients
Find flowers by occasion
Best occasions
- Spring holidays and festivals (Easter, Nowruz)
- Housewarming or new job (fresh starts)
- Get‑well wishes
- 10th wedding anniversary (daffodil)
- Seasonal Lunar New Year arrangements where appropriate
Suitable for
- Romantic partners (gentle affection)
- Close friends
- Family members
- Colleagues or teachers
- Neighbors/hosts
Color taboos
- All‑white arrangements can signal mourning in parts of East Asia
- Yellow‑only bouquets may imply jealousy in some European contexts
- Dyed/dark‑sprayed blooms are often seen as inauthentic or inauspicious
Card messages
At a glance
Key details
Quick reference for habitat, gifting etiquette, and safety when choosing flowers for different occasions and recipients.
Use this section as a practical checklist: where they grow, how to present them thoughtfully, and what to keep in mind regarding toxicity and sensitivity.
Botanical info
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae; Order: Asparagales; Family: Amaryllidaceae; Genus: Narcissus; Species: Narcissus jonquilla (jonquil group).
Distribution
Native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal) and nearby SW Europe; widely cultivated and naturalized in the Mediterranean, parts of Western/Central Europe, and the southeastern United States.
Conservation
Not globally threatened; buy nursery‑propagated bulbs and avoid wild collecting. Support growers conserving heritage cultivars and pollinator‑friendly practices.
Gifting & etiquette
Presentation etiquette
Gift jonquils in small bunches rather than a single stem. Pre‑condition cut stems in separate water 2–4 hours before mixing with other flowers (their sap can shorten others’ vase life); re‑cut stems before arranging. Offer to scent‑sensitive recipients with caution. Use odd numbers in many European traditions.
Ideal delivery time
Deliver/ship as tight buds just cracking color, ideally in the morning, 1–3 days before the event. Peak season is late winter to early spring depending on climate.
Health & risk
Toxicity
All parts are poisonous (alkaloids such as lycorine; calcium oxalate). Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal pain; bulbs are most toxic. Harmful to pets (dogs, cats) and livestock. Sap may irritate skin/eyes. Daffodil vase water can harm other cut flowers—condition separately and keep from children and pets.
Allergenicity
Moderate. Strong fragrance may trigger headaches or asthma in scent‑sensitive people. Sap can cause “daffodil itch” (contact dermatitis); wear gloves. Pollen is light to moderate.
Meaning & taboos
Symbolism & color
As a daffodil type, jonquil embodies rebirth, hope, and the return of spring; in Victorian floriography it conveys desire and affection returned. Its sunny clusters also represent cheerfulness and encouragement during new chapters.
Growing & tools
Care & gear
Growing tips
Plant in fall in well‑drained soil, full sun to part shade. Set bulbs 2–3× their height deep (about 4–6 in / 10–15 cm) and 3–6 in apart. Water in, then keep on the dry side over summer dormancy; avoid waterlogging. Deadhead spent blooms but let foliage yellow naturally for 6–8 weeks to recharge bulbs. Divide clumps every 3–5 years. Hardy roughly USDA Zones 5–9; in very mild winters, pre‑chill bulbs 6–8 weeks before planting.
Recommended tools
- Bulb planter or dibber
- Hand trowel
- Bulb auger (drill attachment)
- Bypass snips or florist knife
- Bulb baskets for drainage/protection
Symbolizes
- New beginnings and rebirth
- Cheerfulness
- Desire and affection returned
- Hope