The daffodil, or cenhinen Pedr in Welsh (Peter’s leek) has long been celebrated as an emblem of Wales. Commonly worn in a pin on a cardigan or jumper on St David’s day (March 1st), it is one of the early, Spring flowering bulbs. It even seems to be designed so its beautiful heads will nod in the breeze rather than falling off.
And where they have recently been planted along the Wales coast path in Greenfield, Flintshire, they certainly need such a design feature. The wind whistles along the coast here but a brisk walk is well rewarded by the sight of their hopeful yellow faces atop dark green stems.
Although they grow in clumps that expand year on year they are rarely seen facing the same direction. This can be infuriating but was what inspired me to paint them in impasto acrylic “Daffy Daffs in Spring”. You can buy this as a print on demand from Zazzle or Society6.
Daffodils have long been used medicinally although they are now considered toxic as misinformed use has been fatal. However, currently daffodils could be bringers of good fortune for Welsh farmers. They are being grown now, in the Black Mountains, to supply demand for a substance called Galantamine. This is the active ingredient being used to treat Alzeimers. Read more at Defra
