“And then there was the year we put the Parterre Bench along the daffodil-studded brook…” As we like to say, there’s always a Story in Newport, or in this case, an adventure. Not an easy job, maneuvering a 120 pound bench down a slippery, muddy slope, across the already blooming daffodils, onto a precarious and uneven ledge outcropping. But we do this for our friends! Their wonderful property (referred to in Rhode Island Monthly magazine as “one of the most magical homes in Rhode Island”) was on the market and the realtors felt it would be a great addition to the Open House party…and they were correct. The house was sold, as were 2 Parterre Benches.

Obviously, one doesn’t forget a Story like this, but more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to once again feature one of the most perfect daffodil settings anywhere. This sight is right out of a storybook and the one image that pops into mind when anyone utters “daffodils”. See if you don’t agree…

Daffodils signal Spring, bringing us out of the winter doldrums with their cheery yellow faces and swaying forms. Even Wm. Wordsworth was smitten, penning his now beloved verse — “A host of golden daffodils…fluttering and dancing in the breeze” — as an ode to one of the true iconic images of the season.

Idyllic doesn’t even come close to describing what greets you as you go through the garden gate…the old Glen property, with its gurgling brook also includes a stone bridge (in the distance) that takes you over the water to the woods beyond where more daffodils await.

But my favorite image is of the daffodils tumbling down to the brook’s edge while it’s course twists and turns curvaceously along its journey.

The same rocky outcroppings are to be found among the planted areas, adding a note not usually seen in traditional daffodil landscapes, with the light playing off the glistening wet rocks.

And as a thank you for following Private Newport, here are 5 Colorful Facts You’ll Love About Daffodils:

Colorful fact #1 “Daffs”(like their cousins, paper-whites) can be forced indoors to bloom in January. In the Asian culture,  it’s believed that good luck will come to your household if these golden beauties are forced into bloom during the Chinese New Year!

Colorful fact #2: Their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the “Lent Lily.”

Colorful fact #3: Unlike most other flower bulbs, squirrels and other pests don’t eat daffodil bulbs because of poisonous crystals in the bulbs and leaves (but don’t plant where dogs like to dig).

Colorful fact #4: Daffodils are best kept in their own arrangement, as they  contain a toxic sap which is harmful to other flowers.

Colorful fact #5: Once the flowers have finished blooming, let the leaves yellow (so the plant can rebuild its bulb) before cutting them down….and they’ll continue dividing on their own, year after year.