As purple crocuses begin to fade in the gardens at Shirley Place, daffodils quickly take their place with an eye-popping yellow quite at odds with the dreary grays and browns around them. Daffodils are native to Spain, but were quickly naturalized in England and Northern Europe in the Middle Ages. In those days, medicinal value was as important as beauty, but being toxic, the most reliable use of daffodils was as an emetic.

Daffodils have enjoyed a better reputation as an inspiration for poets, who have been praising its cheeky hardiness since the 16th century. Blooming early in spring when the danger of frost is far from over, the daffodil was an apt symbol of enduring love. Poets have also had fun with the wonderful alliteration in the name daffodil, whose origins are a bit obscure. Into the late 1800s daffodils were also known as Daffadown Dillies, Daffydown dillies and Daffydillies and inspired this favorite children’s rhyme “Daffy Down Dilly has come to town in a yellow petticoat and a green gown.” For further reading on Daffodils see Sarah L. Van Beck’s Daffodils in American Gardens, 1733-1940.