Classification System

What do those numbers and letters mean?

What are all those number and letter combinations that appear in daffodil catalogues? The Daffodil Society follows the Royal Horticulture Society’s (RHS) daffodil classification system. In 1975, the RHS adopted a colour code system devised by American Dr. Tom Throckmorton.

The letter refers to the colours of the daffodil as follows:

  • W – White or Whitish
  • G – Green
  • Y – Yellow
  • P – Pink
  • O – Orange
  • R – Red

Daffodils are given a colour code to describe both the perianth (petal) colour and the cup colour. When looking at a ‘daffodil code’, the first number is the division used to categorise the daffodil. The letter or group of letters that follows the number, represents the perianth (petal) colour. The petal colour is described by beginning at the outside edge of the petal, then the middle, and lastly the inside part next to the corona. The second letter or group of letters represents the colour of the corona (trumpet or cup) starting from the eye-zone, then the mid-zone and extending out to the edge or rim.

See the photo of Kaylee Ann below as an example:

 ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION

All daffodils are classified into one of thirteen divisions. Each daffodil cultivar or garden hybrid belongs to one of the first twelve divisions. Those daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name belong in Division 13. Below are the definitions for each Division:

Division 1

Trumpet Daffodil Cultivars

One flower to a stem; corona (trumpet) as

long as, or longer than, the perianth

segments (petals).
Division 2

Large-cupped Daffodil Cultivars

One flower to a stem; corona (cup) more

than one-third but less than equal to the

length of the perianth segments (petals).
Division 3

Small-cupped Daffodil Cultivars

One flower to a stem; corona (cup) not more

Than one –third the length of the perianth

Segments (petals)
Division 4

Double Daffodil Cultivars

One or more flowers to a stem, with doubling

of the perianth segments or the corona or both.
Division 5

Triandrus Daffodil Cultivars

Characteristics of N. triandrus predominant:

usually two or more pendent flowers to a

stem; perianth segments reflexed.
Division 6

Cyclamineus Daffodil Cultivars

Characteristics of N. cyclamineus clearly evident:

one flower to a stem; perianth segments significantly reflexed;

flower at an acute angle to the stem, with very short pedicel (“neck”)
Division 7

Jonquilla and Apodanthus Daffodil Cultivars

Characteristics of Sections Jonquilla or Apodanthi clearly evident:

one to five flowers to a stem; perianth segments spreading or reflexed

flowers usually fragrant.
Division 8

Tazetta Daffodil Cultivars

Characteristics of the N. tazetta group predominant:

usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem; leaves broad;

Perianth segments spreading, not reflexed; flowers fragrant.
Division 9

Poeticus Daffodil Cultivars

Characteristics of the N. poeticus group predominant:

usually disc-shaped, with a green or yellow center and one flower to a

stem; perianth segments pure white corona usually a red rim; flower fragrant.
Division 10

Bulbocodium Daffodil Cultivars

Characteristics of Section Bulbocodium clearly evident;

usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant

compared with corona; filament and style are usually curved.
Division 11

Split Corona Daffodil Cultivars

Corona split-usually for more than half its length; Division split into

a & b types, Collar & Papillon
a) Collar Daffodils

daffodils with the corona segments opposite the perianth segments; corona

segments usually in two whorls of three.
b) Papillon Daffodils

Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments alternate to the

perianth segments; the corona segments usually in a single whorl

of six.
Division 12

Other Daffodil Cultivars

Daffodil cultivars which do not fit the definition of any other division.
Division 13

Daffodils Distinguished Solely by Botanical Name

All species and wild or reputedly wild variants and hybrids.