Do we hate daffodils? Brixham Road

Image: © Tom Jolliffe Taken: 25 Apr 2010

These narcissi were planted by the Council some years ago and they bloom each year. Beyond them, in the distance, lies another planting of yellow daffodils which flowered about four weeks ago and have now faded. Recently, Dr Andy Tasker's view that "I hate daffodils" has received a lot of publicity. He has even created a website http://www.ihatedaffodils.org.uk to promote his view that daffodils in the wild are "bling" or worse. Viewers of this image can decide which they would prefer: a line of narcissi or daffodils along the grass verge or whatever wild flowers might grow? Close observers will see that alongside the narcissi are growing a great many dandelions. I find it hard to see that daffodils are a threat to our wildflowers as they are relatively uninvasive and stay where they are put. I wonder if the view that we must exterminate species from abroad reflects a form of xenophobia or even fascist absolutism. The history of evolution shows that species have to compete to survive. What is it that we call a "native" species - how long must it have been "here"? Given that "here" was somewhere down by the equator many moons ago, should we not take a rather more relaxed view of plant species from "elsewhere" unless they clearly have an invasive and rampaging tendency, such as the Japanese knotweed.

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