This old-fashioned staple has it all – sunny, deep-yellow flowers with neat, slightly ruffled cups and wide petals of the same color. It also boasts one of the best fragrances of all jonquils, is a prolific naturalizer and, in many seasons, will even produce secondary blooms. Easy to force for early flowers indoors, ‘Sweetness’ brings a cheerful burst of color and scent at a time when gardens are just beginning to wake up. At 12” to 14” tall, it is a dependable mid-season bloomer with a graceful habit that works beautifully in borders, woodland edges, containers, and informal drifts.

Planting and Growing Conditions

Like other jonquils, ‘Sweetness’ performs best when planted in well-drained soil where the bulbs receive plenty of winter and spring light. Plant bulbs in the fall, setting them several inches deep and grouping them in clusters for the most natural effect. Once established, the bulbs require very little attention and will often multiply over time, returning each spring with a fuller display.

Garden Uses and Indoor Forcing

Its strong fragrance makes it especially valuable near walkways, patios, entries, and cutting gardens, where the scent can be enjoyed up close. The flowers pair well with grape hyacinths, early tulips, pansies, and other spring bulbs, while their compact height helps them fit easily toward the front of a planting bed. For indoor forcing, chilled bulbs can be potted and brought into warmth to produce bright, fragrant blooms before outdoor flowers appear.

Long-Term Care and Maintenance

After flowering, allow the foliage to remain until it yellows naturally; this gives the bulbs time to store energy for the following year. Avoid overly wet sites, but otherwise ‘Sweetness’ is a forgiving, long-lived choice for gardeners who want a classic spring flower with exceptional perfume, reliable performance, and the ability to spread into generous colonies over time.

This bulb will be among the many plants offered in the upcoming Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale on October 24th from 9-1 at Pollard United Methodist Church. Admission is free. Online shopping begins October 12-21, with order pick-up beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the sale. For more details visit this LINK or call (903)590-2980.