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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: