Daffodils and Snowdrops!

Flower farming used to be a staple industry of the Isles of Scilly, south-west of the farthest tip of Cornwall, which became known for the quality of their narcissi and daffodils. The unique balmy climate of the Isles make flower growing economically viable in the 19th century, and in the dead months of winter the fields around St Mary’s were aflame with daffodils and narcissi. A little later, in early spring, came the irises, tulips, stocks and violets. The Scillonians worked hard for their harvest, which became a staple industry of the islands, and by 1886 they were growing and selling 160 varieties of narcissus. A season’s export might amount to almost five million bunches. In spring, every available man, woman and child devoted themselves to the flower harvest, plucking, bunching and packing the half-opened blooms. Packet boats waited at the quay to be loaded to the gunwhales with boxes of flowers. Flower growing, especially of daffodils and narcissi, still form an important part of the agricultural economy of the Isles of Scilly, although not to the great extent of the past. Two varieties which have stayed the course from those days are Scilly Whites and Soleil d’Or.