Daffodils Jonquils and Buttercups
Let me clear this up right from the start—these lovely images aren’t from my yard, nor from the yards of friends or neighbors. They’re simply gorgeous photos I found on Canva to brighten this post! 🌼
Buttercups – One of the First Signs of Spring
Whatever you choose to call them, these cheerful bulbs bring a burst of color right around the start of March. For me, they’ve always been buttercups—that’s what I grew up calling them, and the name has stuck.
I remember the vibrant green, slender leaves appearing like magic—scattered across the front yard, back yard, around the garden’s edge, and even near the barn. Not long after the greens peeked through, those brilliant golden yellow flowers followed, lighting up the landscape.
The funny thing is, I never knew where they came from. I don’t recall my mom planting them; they just seemed to belong, as if they’d always been part of the yard’s rhythm. Now, whenever I see them popping up in the neighborhood, I can’t help but think, I should’ve planted some last fall!
Definitions
This post set out to explore the differences between daffodils, jonquils, and buttercups. What started as a simple idea quickly spiraled into a deep dive that turned out to be much more research than anyone probably wants to tackle on a lazy winter afternoon!
So, cutting to the chase—here’s the gist of what I found:t.
Daffodils * Jonquils * Buttercups
Daffodils:
- Yellow or white flowers with a trumpet-shaped center.
- Daffodils belong to the Narcissus genus.
- They often bloom in early spring.
Jonquils:
- Fragrant flowers with multiple small blooms per stem.
- Also part of the Narcissus genus, like daffodils.
- Native to the Mediterranean region. (Who knew!)
Buttercups:
- Small, shiny yellow flowers with many petals.
- Buttercups belong to the Ranunculus genus, not Narcissus. (New to me!)
- Found in various regions worldwide, not just Europe.
The flowers I’ve always called buttercups? Yeah, they’re probably daffodils. But you know what? I’m still going to call them buttercups. 😉 Some habits are just too lovely to change!
Paperwhites – Daffodil’s and Jonquil’s Stinky Cousin
Paperwhites are undeniably pretty. You’ve probably seen them arranged with their bulbs nestled among smooth rocks in a shallow dish, gently sitting in a bit of water—a minimalist and elegant display.
But every time I see them, I’m taken back to my days working nights as a critical care nurse in the ICU. As you can imagine, it was always a high-stress environment. That’s why it meant so much when families took the time to show their appreciation with thoughtful gestures, whether it was a plate of cookies or a bouquet of flowers.
I distinctly remember one such gesture—a gorgeous bouquet of paperwhites. The day shift staff proudly placed it on the ledge above the nurse’s desk, adding a touch of beauty to the unit.
Paperwhites are undeniably pretty, but boy, can they pack a punch in the scent department!
I’ll never forget one night in the ICU when, as we started our charting, we were hit with the most awful smell. Naturally, we jumped into action, scouring the unit to figure out where it was coming from. We checked everything—patients, linens, garbage—you name it. After an exhaustive search, we finally traced the culprit: the beautiful bouquet of paperwhites perched proudly on the ledge above the nurse’s desk!
Needless to say, they had to go. I can’t recall exactly what we did with them, but odds are we carried them out to the waiting room and left them there for someone else to deal with. 😉
Now, to be fair, not all paperwhites have an offensive smell. In fact, some people actually enjoy their heavy fragrance. This was just one memorable experience, so don’t let it deter you if you’re thinking about planting some or picking up a bouquet—just make sure to give them a sniff first!
So, what about you? Are they daffodils, jonquils, or buttercups in your book? Leave your answer in the comments! 🌼
