Cold, howling wind is an important part of the setting for a Daffodil Tea in the Shetland Islands. The Shetlands, which are far north of Scotland, feature a windswept, treeless landscape. On two different trips I have visited these Islands in early May. After the long, weary wait of winter, the Shetland Islanders rejoice at the appearance of daffodils, the promise of spring, and they celebrate with a Daffodil Tea.
Photo by SJ Images | Alamy Stock Photo
Daffodils growing at Eastshore beside the Pool of Virkie in the south of Shetland Mainland.
On my most recent visit to the Shetland Islands, I sat on the tour bus and chatted with the guide while everyone else ventured out into the driving wind to inspect a Viking ship. The guide told me that she was giving a Daffodil Tea at her local community center in order to cheer the residents after the long, bleak winter. The community centers are an important part of life on the Islands because the population is sparse and spread out. With a sheepish smile, the guide confessed that she had had to order the daffodils from “down south” (Scotland) because the local flowers had not yet bloomed.
Photo by David Hillegas | Styling by Amanda Smith Fowler
Freshly cut daffodils ready for teatime.
When the guide explained the significance of a Daffodil Tea, I realized with pleasure that I had attended one on my previous trip. On that occasion we had been out in the cold wind visiting Jarlshof, a famous archeological site with remains of Neolithic, Viking, and medieval life. The freezing wind blew so strong that my interest in archeology vanished. I was thinking only of survival. After an exhausting afternoon in the open weather, our tour had stopped at the local community center for a Daffodil Tea. Leaving the howling cold, we gratefully entered a warm, inviting, simple room with chairs and white-clothed tables set for tea. The tea, poured from steaming kettles by cheerful, red-cheeked women, and the delicious homemade Scottish shortbread were welcome. But even more welcome were the delicate, pale yellows and creams of the daffodils, accented with the deep blues of scilla blossoms. These colors made a huge impact, a dramatic contrast to the grey landscape outside.
Sitting on the bus discussing Daffodil Tea with the guide, I determined to inaugurate the same tradition at my home in the North Carolina mountains the following spring.
Photo by Mary Walton Upchurch
Early daffodils share the promise of spring in Mary Walton Upchurch's garden.
Unfortunately this spring I didn’t feel up to giving a Daffodil Tea, but I did invite the garden club to admire the daffodils in my garden. The plan was that the guests would would stay in the garden and enjoy the flowers. However, the weather did not cooperate. Hard rain was predicted the day before, and a cold wind for the day of the visit. The hard rain dodged us, but the morning of the garden party, I opened the front door to a cold, howling wind.
Photo by Mary Walton Upchurch
Silver and gold! Brilliant daffodils fill a silver pitcher, brightening the table for an impromptu Daffodil Tea.
“Daffodil teatime,” I decided. “No doubt about it.” So I bustled about, and with the help of Scottish shortbread I had on hand, exquisite cakes a guest brought, and a friend who picked a bucket of his daffodils for me, I prepared the dining room table for tea.
The guests assembled in the house, and then we dashed out into the garden for a ten-minute look at the daffodils. “Boy,” exclaimed a guest, “it really is windy up here on top of this mountain!” We scurried back into the house and sat down to enjoy the delights of a Daffodil Tea.
Daffodil Tea Inspiration
Inspired by Mary Walton’s Daffodil Tea, FLOWER magazine Style Director Amanda Smith Fowler produced her take on a warm and welcoming table that celebrates the arrival of daffodils and springtime.
Photo by David Hillegas | Styling by Amanda Smith Fowler
Greens and golds herald the arrival of spring and call for celebration.
Photo by David Hillegas | Styling by Amanda Smith Fowler
An asparagus tureen from Mirror Lake Antiques in Highlands, North Carolina holds an arrangement of daffodils.
Photo by David Hillegas | Styling by Amanda Smith Fowler
The daffodil motif is carried through to Spring Bulb dessert plates from Herend.
SOURCES
- Spring Dessert – Daffodil plate from Herend
- Golden Laurel Wreath salad plate from Herend
- Princess Victoria dinner plate in light blue from Herend
- Lexington Anis Presentation Plate charger from Mottahedeh
- Daisy Placemat in natural and yellow from Kim Seybert
- King Richard sterling flatware; Asparagus tureen; and Towle goblet from Mirror Lake Antiques
- Estelle Colored Wine Stemware in forest green from Estelle Colored Glass
- Tablecloth, cup and saucer, napkin, and porcelain placecard from the stylist’s collection
Daffodil Tea and Charities
Many British, Australian, and Canadian communities, churches, and charity organizations have adopted Daffodil Teas as fundraising events.
Heather Reid tells how she was inspired by Scottish churches holding Daffodil Tea fundraisers when she was growing up. She began hosting Daffodil Teas to raise funds after losing her son to cancer, and launched a website about her experiences.
Cancer charities in particular have embraced the cheery and hopeful tradition. In 1954, Lady Eaton hosted a Daffodil Tea to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. The event expanded to become Daffodil Day and the organization now has a Daffodil Month fund drive.
Cancer Council Australia, the country’s largest cancer charity, has even adopted an annual Daffodil Day Appeal with Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to raise funds for cancer research.
By Mary Walton Upchurch
