Jonquils don’t seem to care whether it’s cold or warm, dry or wet, snow or sleet. Come February, they’re coming out of the ground. The hearty little flowers are now blooming across the state.
There is often some confusion over the exact name. Jonquils, Daffodils, Narcissus? Technically speaking, several flowers fall under the scientific name, Narcissus. Jonquils and daffodils are separate members of the Narcissus family. Botanists can tell the difference, most others can’t. It has to do with the size and smell of the petals, but who cares? They are pretty, little flowers that signal the coming of spring. Unlike Punxsutawney Phil, they are the true harbingers of spring.
This group of flowers is native to Spain and Portugal but have been successfully transplanted throughout the world. They flourish in the south and southeast United States from Texas to Maryland as well as Utah, Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota.
We have never planted jonquils in our yard, they’ve been there since we moved in. But they often pop up in odd places. I think the squirrels have something to do with the transplants.
But wherever they grow, it’s good to see them. Most of us are certainly ready for spring.