Angel Tears and Miniature Triandrus Daffodils

Angel Tears Characteristics

• Angel tears daffodils range in height from 6 to 12 inches with strap-type leaves that are generally a few inches longer than the flower stems. Species plants produce their flowers on stems that can be up to 10 inches tall. “Hawera” (Narcissus “Hawera”), a miniature hybrid, produces two-toned flowers on 6- to 8-inch tall stems. Its flowers have lemon-yellow petals and light-yellow center cups. Species plants produce two to six flowers per stem but “Hawera” will produce up to nine flowers on each stem. Angel tears species and hybrids have fragrant flowers, although some are more fragrant than others. “Petrel” (Narcissus “Petrel”), a full-sized hybrid, produces extremely fragrant, bright-white flowers, while “Hawera” flowers are only lightly fragrant.

Angel Tears Hardiness

• Angel tears species plants are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9, but many hybrids are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. “Hawera” and “Petrel” are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. “Ice Wings” (Narcissus “Ice Wings”) is a white-blooming full-sized hybrid that is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. All angel tears are drought tolerant and they are rarely bothered by deer or rabbits. They are not susceptible to serious diseases or insect attacks but their bulbs may rot if they are planted in soil that does not drain quickly.

Sun and Soil for Angel Tears

• Angel tears will grow in full sun or partial shade. In hotter climates, they thrive in gardens with direct morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon. The flowers fade more quickly in hot afternoon sunlight. They prefer acidic sandy, loamy or sandy-loam soil. Where the soil is heavy clay, perlite can be mixed in to improve drainage or a 1-foot high raised bed can be built and filled with sandy or loamy soil. They should not be planted beneath shallow-rooted trees where they will have to compete for moisture and nutrients. Mixing superphosphate into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches will give the bulbs a good start. Mix it into the soil uniformly, rather than putting it into the planting hole, at a rate of 1/4 pound per 50 square feet.

Planting Angel Tears

• Angel tears bulbs should be planted in early or mid-autumn. They will bloom the following spring and each spring after that for many years. Plant the bulbs at a depth equal to two to three times the width of the bulb or at a minimum depth of 3 inches. Set the bulb in the hole with the pointed end up. They are usually planted in groups, with at least six bulbs in a group. Leave 4 to 6 inches of space between the bulbs in the group and 10 to 12 inches between groups and other plants. Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch over the soil.

Caring for Angel Tears

• Angel tears should be given 5-10-15 or 5-10-10 fertilizer in late winter or early spring just before the leaves come up for the first time. Sprinkle 1 pound of fertilizer over 50 square feet. Each group of bulbs should be given 2 to 3 gallons of water each week beginning when the leaves first emerge and continuing until the flowers fade. The dead flower stems can be removed but leave the foliage until it dies off naturally. Do not braid the leaves. The bulbs need the leaves for photosynthesis so they can store up energy to bloom the following year. In future years, divide the amount of fertilizer in half and give the angel tears two applications, one just before the leaves come up and one as the blooms fade.