Areas across the city are about to get a whole lot brighter with Cardiff Council’s community bulb planting initiative.
The scheme is in its second year and offers community groups the chance to get their green fingers on the unique ‘Cardiff’ daffodil bulbs so they can be planted in prominent places where people can enjoy them.
Organisations such as Friends groups, community groups, Rainbow and Brownie groups and housing associations will throw planting sessions over the next few weeks. If growing conditions are favourable the bulbs should hopefully flower in time for St David’s Day.
The special ‘Cardiff’ daffodil was developed to celebrate the 2005 centenary of Cardiff as a city and golden anniversary as the capital of Wales. Since then many thousands of bulbs have been planted in the city.
The flower is described as a beautiful, tall, scented, yellow, large cupped Narcissus and was grown on the Fal estuary in Cornwall by Jim Hoskin, a specialist bulb grower. The bulbs are now grown and supplied by the Really Welsh Company.
The bulbs should be planted before the beginning of December at a depth equal to twice the height of the bulb, in a well-drained, sunny position.
Containerised bulbs should be left outside until after Christmas, kept moist, then brought indoors to flower in a well-lit position.
Parks Services are giving away an additional five nets of bulbs to lucky competition winners.
Each of the nets contains between 40 and 50 Cardiff daffodil bulbs to provide an extra boost of colour around the city.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “The Cardiff Daffodil is a unique part of Cardiff history and adds to the beautiful scene of Spring-time in the city.
“I am delighted that Park Services are continuing the initiative so that people can take pleasure in a sea of yellow whilst bringing communities together during planting sessions.
“Get your competition entries in soon so that hopefully the bulbs can bloom in time for St David’s Day!”
To be in with a chance of winning a net of Cardiff Daffodil bulbs you must answer the following question: “What is the proper name for the trumpet of a daffodil?”
Answer must be sent to: Cardiff Daffodil Competition, Parks Services, King George V Drive, Heath, Cardiff, CF14 4EP.
Along with the answer, please provide your name, age, address, contact number and where you intend to plant the bulbs.
