Geoff House, from Jacobstow near Bude, has chosen the Cornish word meaning star as the name for a new daffodil produced by Falmouth-based international daffodil expert Ron Scamp.
A gardening enthusiast, Geoff was visiting Cornwall’s 100th Spring Flower Show in the beautiful setting of Boconnoc, near Lostwithiel, when he decided to enter the prize draw marking the event’s beginnings as the Daffodil Exhibition. Much to his surprise, he won it – giving him the chance to visit Ron’s site near Falmouth, select a bloom and choose an appropriate name. The flower he chose had been 16 years in development and he called it ‘Steren’ which means star in Cornish.
“It’s just right,” said Ron Scamp. “Its horticultural classification is in the Jonquilla section and it has been bred from the late flowering ‘Portrush’ variety and the species Narcissus jonquilla. It has one to three flowers on each stem and is very scented with a flower that opens with greenish tones that fade to greenish white with a yellow centre. It’s a very prolific bloomer and in trials has proved to be disease resistant and has a long flowering season.”
Geoff, a regular visitor to the Cornwall Spring Flower Show, was delighted with the opportunity of being able to name such a lovely specimen.
“Visiting Ron’s site was a fantastic experience and although I had thought of lots of possible names beforehand, the name ‘Steren’ came to me on the day,” he said. “I’ve often joked that if I won the Lottery I’d like to hold a national plant collection, so perhaps this is the start!”
Geoff also intends to commission a botanical painting of the bloom by artist Laura Smith.
‘Steren’ has been registered with the Royal Horticultural Society and a framed copy of the registration certificate, with a colour photograph of the flower, was presented to Geoff by Andrew Leslie, Chair of Cornwall Garden Society, at Andrew’s home Ethy House near Lerryn.
“The prize was a special way of marking the 100th show which started with the owners of large Cornish gardens showing off their daffodils,” said Andrew. “We look forward to ‘Steren’ blooms being entered into the show in future.”
A limited quantity of ‘Steren’ bulbs are currently available from R A Scamp Quality Daffodils priced at £7.50 for 5. They will be more widely available next year.
Next year’s Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show will be held at Boconnoc on 6 and 7 April. For more details, visit www.cornwallspringflowershow.co.uk or call 01209 714488.
Source: R A Scamp Quality Daffodils
