This spring felt like a small success already, simply because Tahiti made it through the winter again. There’s always a quiet moment of relief when the first leaves come up, especially after a colder season. You never quite take it for granted.
Tahiti (Narcissus ‘Tahiti’) is easily the brightest daffodil I have. The colour is not shy in any way—strong yellow with a deeper, almost glowing orange in the centre. When the flowers open, they don’t look delicate or minimal like some narcissus. Instead, they feel full and slightly wild, with layers that catch the light differently depending on the time of day.
Here, they begin to flower in May and continue through the month. It’s a time when the garden is starting to settle, but still feels fresh and unfinished. Many plants are only just finding their place again after winter, and that’s where Tahiti stands out—it doesn’t wait quietly in the background.
For a few weeks, they bring that strong colour into the garden, and then they’re gone again for the season. By summer, they’ve already done their part. I like knowing that once May passes, the same bulbs will go on to spend the warmer months by the lake, resting and gathering strength for another year.
That rhythm suits them. A short, bright moment in spring, followed by a long, quiet stretch out of sight.
They’re also simple to live with. Like other daffodils, they don’t ask for much once planted. Autumn is the time to put the bulbs into the ground, and after that they take care of the rest. The leaves come and go, and while they may look untidy for a while after flowering, it’s part of the rhythm that keeps them returning each year.
Tahiti is not a quiet presence in the garden, but that’s exactly why I keep it. In May, when everything is beginning to take shape, it brings colour that feels confident and steady—something you can rely on each spring.
Gardening in the North 