Description

Narcissus obvallaris, often referred to as the Tenby daffodil, is a compact, heritage-rich golden-yellow daffodil prized for its resilience, naturalising strength, and early-season colour in traditional and ecological Irish landscapes. As one of the few daffodils considered truly native to Britain and Ireland, it holds deep historical and biodiversity significance, flowering from late February to early April — well ahead of many other cultivars.

At a modest 20–25 cm in height, Obvallaris produces tidy, upright, golden blooms with uniform structure and a short, flared trumpet, offering a clean, unfussy aesthetic that blends beautifully with both wildflower-rich meadows and formally restored historic grounds. It excels in poor, dry, or thin soils, thriving with minimal care on grassy park banks, roadside verges, ancient church greens, public graveyards, and woodland fringes, where its low nutrient requirements and naturalising habit make it especially valuable for local authority projects and rewilding initiatives.

It’s highly recommended for community school gardens, biodiversity corridors, and native bulb restoration work, particularly in pollinator-focused planting schemes where early forage is critical. The open, flat-faced flowers provide accessible pollen and nectar to solitary bees, emerging queen bumblebees, hoverflies, and pollen beetles, helping bridge the late-winter forage gap. Plant en masse for impact, or intersperse it within rough grass for a more informal, natural look.

To reinforce seasonal layering and boost pollinator draw, Obvallaris combines beautifully with Crocus tommasinianus, Anemone nemorosa, and Scilla. Its early flowering timing makes it a perfect underplanting option for later-emerging perennials, hedgerow saplings, or under-canopy plantings in estate woodlands or agroforestry schemes.