Dabbling with Daffodils

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Sunday 27th October 2019 was a beautiful autumnal day which saw the launch of the newly-registered ‘Ballance House’ daffodil, bred by the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group President, Brian Duncan.  

For those of you who like technical details, this RHS registered bulb is classified as: Div. 1Y-Y (which means that it is a Yellow trumpet ie, Division 1 = trumpet daffodils where the corona is at least as long as the perianth segments (petals). The first Y means it has yellow petals and the second Y means the corona/trumpet) is also yellow. 

The Group has been holding its meetings at the Ballance House for almost 25 years and it was an honour for the Ulster New Zealand Trust to be presented with the bulb in recognition of the legacy of John Ballance.

Mr Duncan said “The Ballance House has been a wonderful venue for NIDG meetings.  With members residing in all six counties and in the Republic of Ireland it is very central.  The facilities are excellent, it is situated in a very pleasant rural setting and we always receive a warm welcome on arrival.”

Freddie Hall, Executive Chairman of UNZT remarked that “This daffodil is a unique addition to the Ballance House site and helps to perpetuate the memory of John Ballance, born here in 1839 and later 14th Premier of New Zealand. We are so grateful to Brian Duncan and the Northern Ireland Daffodil Group". 

As part of the very entertaining afternoon, specialist in orchid growing, Brendan Sayers gave a fascinating talk on ‘Another Fever – tales of orchid obsessions at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin’.  One of Brendan’s notable publications is Ireland’s Wild Orchids: A Field Guide.

Thanks to our tea barn volunteers for providing a most delicious lunch which commenced the afternoon’s proceedings in great style.

We can’t wait to see green shoots of ‘Ballance House’ poking up from the ground next Spring.  In the future the bulb can be purchased from Esker Farm Daffodils; approximately 20 bulbs were passed to Esker for increase so it will probably be a year or two before it is introduced commercially.