Wild Daffodils - The Flower Behind The Collection
Learn about the rare flower featured in my spring textiles collection
Photo courtesy of Kate Marks (Instagram: @cmcreative100)
Daffodils are one of my favourite spring flowers - symbolising the end of winter, new beginnings and hope. It wasn’t until last year that I discovered the wild daffodil, a flower that pre-dates the widespread cultivated varieties. Smaller than the cultivated daffodil, the wild daffodil has long, thin green-grey leaves with delicate pale yellow petals and yellow trumpet.
Unfortunately, they are now in-decline due to the cultivated species cross-pollinating with the wild daffodils resulting in many of the plants dying. The majority of wild daffodils can be found in Gloucestershire’s ‘Golden Triangle’ of Kempley, Dymock and Newent, as well as the Black Mountains and areas of Monmouthshire (I'm lucky enough to have a few dotted around my local woodland!) But these joyful spring flowers can still be found surviving in a few locations across the UK.
Where to see wild daffodils
The ideal habitat for wild daffodils are ancient woodlands and damp meadows. Alongside spotting them in these habitats, some places have dedicated walks and events where wild daffodils can be spotted:
Visit North Yorkshire | Farndale Daffodil Walk and Farndale Store - Farndale This trail is one of the best in England and parts of the walk are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. The wonderful Farndale Store are also stockists of my ‘wild daffodil’ tea towel and aprons!
Daffodils | Kempley Daffodil Weekend 14th and 15th March 2026, dates change yearly. Kempley is part of the ‘golden triangle’ of Gloucestershire, known for its population of wild daffodils. Every year, they hold a daffodil weekend which includes talks and shuttle bus tours to see the fields of the spring flower.
Wild Daffodil Facts
Daffodils have been the national flower of Wales since the 16th century and is worn to celebrate Welsh heritage on St David's Day/Dydd Dewi Sant - the date coincides with when they bloom.
The wild daffodil is the county flower of Gloucestershire.
A group of wild daffodils is called a ‘drift’.
The Welsh translation for wild daffodil is cenhinen bedr!
When I discovered the wild daffodil, I knew I wanted to capture its beauty in my illlustrations. The hand painted pattern is arranged to look like a woodland carpet of wild daffodils, and is available on a range of textiles, cards, chopping boards, placemats and coasters. Shop the wild daffodil collection here. I hope you love them!
P.S. be sure to sign up to my newsletter here before St David’s Day - where I’ll be sharing my Great Nan's homemade Welsh cakes recipe!