'Tête-à-Tête' is the daffodil most people have grown without knowing its name: the little golden one sold in pots in late winter. It stands 6 to 8 inches, carries two or three flowers to a stem (the name means head-to-head), and opens a week or two before the big trumpets, often while snow is still around the edges of the bed.
Plant it where small things can be seen: along a path, at the front of a border, in a trough, under deciduous shrubs. It naturalises well and multiplies fast. Forced pots can be planted out after they finish and will settle into the garden the following spring.
Botrytis (grey mould)
Grey fuzzy mould on petals and stems, worst in cool wet conditions.
Remove affected parts immediately. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide if severe.
Narcissus Basal Rot
Brown rot starting at the base of the bulb, spreading upward; soft, decaying tissue and stunted or failed growth in spring. Fungal growth may appear pink or white.
Discard infected bulbs. Plant only firm, healthy bulbs in well-draining soil. Avoid hot, wet conditions during summer dormancy and rotate planting sites.
Narcissus Yellow Stripe Virus
Yellow or pale streaks running lengthwise along leaves; distorted foliage and reduced flower size or vigor over successive years.
No cure. Remove and destroy infected plants. Control aphids, which spread the virus, and buy certified virus-free bulbs.