Trumpets of spring known by a variety of names

Do you have any pots of daffodils blooming indoors yet? Or any narcissi? Or jonquils? Although these names are tossed around freely in referring to those cheery white or yellow trumpets that herald in spring, the names daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil are not really wholly interchangeable.

As is often the case with garden plants, the botanical and the common names don't jibe. In this case, narcissus is the name of a genus that includes all daffodils, all jonquils, and, of course, all narcissi. But commercially, at least, the name daffodil is reserved for those flowers with trumpets as long, or longer, than the petals. A narcissus is any of these flowers that has a short trumpet. And a jonquil? Narcissus genus contains many species, one of which is Narcissus Jonquilla: you guessed it, the jonquil!

Don't relax yet about the names. There are many species of daffodil (the name most commonly used by you and me, commercial practices notwithstanding). The venerable Royal Horticultural Society, in London, has split the genus Narcissus into 12 divisions. Each of the three commercial names of this flower might be in one or more of the divisions.

But enough, enough with these names. No matter what the names, you can grow all daffodils in pretty much the same way. Plant them 8 inches deep and 8 inches apart, less so each way for the small sorts. Well-drained soil, occasional fertilizer and full or dappled sunlight early in the season while the plants are in leaf will keep daffodils happily blooming and multiplying year after year.

All daffodils also are wonderful for forcing indoors for early blossoms. Too late to start now, though, because most daffodil bulbs need to be kept at refrigerator temperature for 10 to 13 weeks before they will blossom.

But there is one group of daffodils -- Paper-White and Soleil d'Or are familiar varieties -- that will flower without experiencing any cold. If you can get hold of some bulbs, you can coax blossoms from them without even planting them in soil. Barely bury them in a bed of pebbles and keep the water level just up to the base of the bulbs.