Narcissus ‘Elka’
One of the joys of daffodils, unlike some other spring bulbs, is that they should get better every year. Autumn 2013 saw me planting lots of daffs and among these was ‘Elka’ a division 1 daff with traditional long trumpets. It is a small daff with elegant flowers that nod demurely and it has milk white petals and a primrose yellow trumpet that fades to the same colour as the petals after a few days. Growing about 25cm high it is big enough for garden display or to naturalise in grass but compact enough for pots too. I planted it in three places. Firstly I put it in two pots below a fatsia. This was a bit stupid really because, up till now, the fatsias have foliage down to soil level so the poor daffs have to peer out a bit but that hasn’t bothered them too much and they have increased well and the display is better this year than last. Despite my schoolboy error the flowers against the dark green fatsia do look good.
I also planted some in grass where they have done fine but I also put some in a border at the front of shrubs together with some Corydalis solida ‘Beth Evans’. The two bulbs are of similar size and flower together and the pale daffs look well against the bright pink corydalis. I am glad they have both established well.
‘Elka’ is an Alec gray hybrid and was named after two daff growers – Elizabeth and Kate – and has been awarded an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Geoff’s rating
9/10
Garden Rating
9/10
The Biking Gardener 
I love the look of this little daffodil & hope I may track some down. I have a beautiful small pale yellow Corylopsis & I think they would look great together. At present I have Tête-à-têtes with it & the strong yellow overpowers the primrose yellow.
yes it would be a perfect partner. another would be ‘WP Milner’ which I will post about in a few days. It has similar colouring and a dainty habit befitting a place near a corylopsis!
I will look forward to that.