Bulbs
Narcissus‘Pimpernel ’ is a large cup daffodil with sheer , two musical note coloring . pic by : Roger Foley .
daffodil , along with tulip , are one of the most pop spring bulbs . They are long - dwell ; bloom for week on remainder ; are n’t bothered by deer ; flourish both in the garden and in pots ; are comfortable to plant , maturate and care for ; and offer astounding variety ( there are over 25,000 register cultivar ! ) .
On this page : Basics|Growing|Design Ideas|Pictures|FAQs|Using in arrangement

DAFFODIL BASICS
Botanical Name:
Narcissus
Zones:
Varies by type . The legal age are well-to-do to grow in cold-blooded area ( Zones 4 to 8) , most can hold out Zones 2 and 3 , and many can survive warmer climates through Zone 9 ( notably those in Jonquilla and Tazetta divisions ) .
Bloom time:
Narcissus pseudonarcissus flowers blossom in spring ; some early , mid , and lately , calculate on the multifariousness .
Exposure:
Best in full sun . Narcissus pseudonarcissus also need plenty of Inner Light even after flowering to store up energy for next year ’s bloom .
Height:
6 to 30 inches
Color and characteristics:
The most rough-cut colors are white and yellow , but there are also orange , pink , and red motley . They are recognized mainly for their bell - shaped , central cupful ring by a ring of petals .
Types of daffodils:
There are thousands to pick out from , including :
Those who get them for competition are even more accurate and separate them into 13 division ( seeThe American Daffodil Society ) . The ones most commonly grown in gardens are known as Large Cup and Trumpet daffodils .
PLANTING DAFFODILS
When planted right , daffodils bloom of youth dependably and are humble - maintenance . Photo by : Roger Foley .
When to plant daffodil bulbs:
Where to plant daffodil bulbs:
How deep to plant daffodil bulbs:
6 in cryptic
Soil:
daffodil favour well - drain soil , where the bulbs can be comparatively ironic when abeyant during summer . In heavier grunge , it ’s best to grow them in arouse beds .
For more on how to institute bulbs , seeBulbs 101 : Planting and Storing Bulbs .
DAFFODIL CARE
Water:
Some wet is needed in fall after planting . In leap when plant are actively mature and until their leaves start to change by reversal yellow , water them 1/2 to 1 column inch per week .
Fertilizer:
Addbone mealwhen planting .
Dividing:
If bloom quality and measure degrade , dig up and divide clumps right after the foliage dies back .
Cutting back:
Wait to cut the leave-taking back until they turn lily-livered ; they are gathering vigour from sunlight to be stored in the bulb for next year ’s flower .
DESIGN IDEAS
Daffodils are often set in trend of like types and colors . Photo by : Roger Foley .
If you love daffodils , but are n’t sure how to apply them in your garden , here are some suggestions :
Companion plants:
Daffodils can provide a defensive shield against athirst cervid . Self - seed yearly that flower after daffodils can obscure the yellowing foliage .
judge planting alongside these plant :
DAFFODIL PICTURES
Photo by : Manfred Ruckszio / Shutterstock .
Narcissus’Tête - à - Tête'-Buy from Breck ’s
Zone:4 - 8Height:6 to 9 inchesBloom meter : April

This miniature Narcissus pseudonarcissus is popular for containers , but it also multiplies rapidly in cultivate areas .
Photo by : LianeM / Shutterstock .
Narcissus’Thalia '

Zone:3 - 8Height:12 to 18 inchesBloom time : March - April
This daffodil produce 2 or 3 fragrant flower per theme .
Photo by : sebastiano secondi / Alamy Stock Photo .

Narcissus’Mount Hood'—Buy from Breck ’s
‘ Mount Hood ’ has flowers up to 4 inch across that open creamy xanthous , but quickly mature to ivory white .
Photo by : Rebecca McCree / Shutterstock .

Narcissus’Tahiti'-Buy now from Breck ’s .
Zone:4 - 8Height:12 - 18 inchesBloom time : April
A success of the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit , ‘ Tahiti ’ has refined flowers and strong stem that retain up well in the wind .
photograph by : Popova Valeriya / Shutterstock .
Narcissus’Dutch Master '
Zone:3 - 8Height:13 to 18 inchesBloom clip : Early to mid outpouring
A classic daffodil good for naturalize or forcing .
Photo by : Roger Foley .
Narcissus’Modern Art '
Zone:3 - 8Height:14 to 16 inchesBloom metre : Midspring
Intense color , brush up overlapping white-livered petals , and a doubled , almost treble tangerine cup .
Narcissus’Sovereign '
Zone:3 - 8Height:16 to 18 inchesBloom metre : Mid- to late spring
This gargantuan flower can measure 6 inches across . Bright orangish , wavelike , fragmented corona against white petals .
Narcissus’Chromacolor '
Zone:3 - 8Height:12 to 18 inchesBloom clock time : April
Intense benighted coral - pink cup is striking against gross white petals .
Narcissus’Bravoure '
Zone:3 - 8Height:18 to 24 inchesBloom time : April
Its robust , bland - textured flowers make this trumpet Narcissus pseudonarcissus with its sensationalistic silk hat cupful a terrific show winner .
Narcissus’Serola '
Zone:3 - 8Height:14 to 18 inchesBloom time : Midspring
One of the most tenacious and floriferous daffodils . majuscule perennializer . Sunproof color and smashing form . It holds its head up and looks right at you . favorable petals and reddish - orange cup .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are daffodils poisonous?
Daffodils contain a toxic chemical that may make digestive hassle . They try out so awful that most brute avoid them . However , if your darling does eat a daffodil bulb you should contact your veterinarian . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
Should I dig and store my bulbs after they go dormant or leave them in the ground?
Daffodils are a very hardy bulb that can be left in the basis for years in most case . There are only a few fate that warrant otherwise . Dig them up and store them if :
Can I plant daffodil bulbs in the spring?
The idealistic planting clock time for spring - flowering bulbs is during fall . Then they have all wintertime to acclimate and develop roots before blooming in spring . However , some gardeners have success transplanting pot bulb into their spring gardens . Look for plant with tidy fleeceable foliage and bud , but not blooms .
When is the right time to transplant daffodils?
Whether you ’re transplanting to alleviate crowding or you simply want to move them to a new spot , the best time to do so is after they go torpid . Once the flowers fade , await for the leave to wilt , yellow , and die off before dig up the bulbs — this should take approximately six weeks . During this time , the bulb is store get-up-and-go and preparing for next natural spring ’s bloom . Replant the bulbs immediately in their new placement .
Is there a trick to naturalizing daffodils?
Here are some expert tips for create a established planting :
The two damage “ naturalise ” and “ perennialize ” are sometimes used interchangeably , but there is a subtle remainder . Some bulbs will naturalise , intend they will prosper and spread about the garden , forming natural - await groupings . Others are regard good perennializers in that they will return reliably twelvemonth after class , increase their clump size over time , but not inevitably moving farther out into the landscape .
USING DAFFODILS IN ARRANGEMENTS
daffodil make great cut flowers . If you ’d wish to bring them indoors , here are some tips :
Related : Bulbs 101 : How to Plant and Store BulbsMore Bulbs for Your GardenTop 20 springtime - Blooming BulbsGrowing PaperwhitesBulbs for Warm - Climate Gardens
Updated : 2/24/21