GINA PARKINSON spots the first daffodils of the season beginning to rise in her York garden.

WE have moved our computer to a spot by the window, from which I can look out into the garden while I write. It is a little distracting and my eyes will wander to the great outdoors, but it is preferable to being stuck in a dark alcove and I wonder why we never had the idea before.

From the window I spot a neat clump of daffodils, the first to flower this year and indeed in most previous years. Nestling beneath euphorbia 'Humpty Dumpty' a soft, grey green-leaved plant with the usual bright yellow green flowers in spring, shoots have been developing since Christmas and the buds are now distinctly yellow and all but open.

These daffodils are miniature narcissi, which, in the classification of narcissi family, generally belong to division six, which is the cyclamineus narcissi. However, I notice the Plant Finder lists the popular miniature 'Tete a Tete' as being in division 12.

The cyclamineus narcissi usually carry one drooping flower per stem with long trumpets and swept back petals. Height is 15 - 30cm (6in - 1ft) and the varieties have been bred from narcissus cyclamineus which, to confuse matters further, seems to be included in division 13 in the daffodil league table.

The neat growth and short height of these daffodils makes them ideal for growing in small gardens, containers and window boxes where their early flowers are a welcome sight. Plant them near the house where they can be viewed from a window.

Varieties include the early flowering all yellow February Gold and Peeping Tom, both of which will bloom in February or by the beginning of March. Jetfire also bears early flowers but with an orange trumpet and yellow petals. More varieties follow on in March with the white petals and yellow trumpets of February Silver and Jack Snipe, cream and white Jenny, all yellow Garden Princess and deep yellow Itzim.

If the traditional yellow daffodil doesn't suit, there are a few pink and white cyclamineus narcissi. These include Lavender Lass, Foundling and Lilac Charm, all with pink trumpets and white petals. They usually bloom later in spring.

It is too late to plant daffodil bulbs now because this is done between August and October. However it is possible to buy pots of them at garden centres and markets to plant into the garden for instant colour.

Make sure they are planted deep enough - cover with soil twice the height of the bulb - otherwise flowering will be affected next year.

Or keep the bulbs in their pot and plant out when the foliage has died back after flowering. Daffodils like well drained, but not dry, soil in sun or light shade.

Weekend catch-up

Pots of primulas are on sale in gardening outlets and are ideal for brightening up the garden and filling empty spaces. They are also good for planting in containers and putting on the patio or in the yard for a splash of colour.

The range of primula colours is extensive with orange, pink red and purple at one end of the spectrum; and pure white, pale cream and light pinks and yellows at the other. Choice of colour is personal, some prefer to stick to subtle shades of one colour while others fill their garden and containers with a riot of different hues.

No choice is wrong, these spring flowers look good whatever their tint.

Garden talk

Askham Bryan College Gardening Club is holding a talk on Tuesday in the Conference Hall at the college at 7.30pm. Vanessa Cook, of Stillingfleet Lodge Nurseries, will discuss growing better perennials in Yorkshire. Entrance is free to ABC club members or £4 on the door to non-members.

Updated: 08:34 Saturday, February 21, 2004