Today’s Garden Ideas

When we think of Daffodils we see a carpet of yellow trumpets heralding the coming of spring. However Daffodils actually come in various colors, sizes and shapes.

They can be as small as the ‘Foundling’ Daffodil at 6 inches or as tall as the 20 inch ‘St. Keverne.’ And some like the ‘Texas’ variety have several ruffled cups on each stem. In addition Daffodils range in color from the pure white of ‘Thalia’ to the traditional yellow of ‘Manley’ to the bright red and orange of ‘Jetfire’.

Places to Plant

Daffodils work well in flower beds, strewn about a hillside on interspersed amongst your lawn. They look beautiful under a

canopy of deciduous trees.

Try lining a flowerbed with ‘Ambergate’s’ Daffodil. Its red cups and orange petals make a bold statement. Especially if planted amongst some bright green shrubbery.

Smaller Daffodils do very well in rock gardens. Try ‘Jack Snipe’, ‘Beryl’, or ‘Baby Moon’. The color of the Daffodil really pops amongst the gray and brown stones.

Daffodils are also excellent container bulbs. Try planting some smaller bulbs in smaller containers and place the pots on the steps to your front door. Or use a larger container and some of the taller varieties of daffodils and place this bigger pot right beside your front door. The beauty of the Daffodils will put a smile on any visitor’s face.

Plant Buddies

Try planting some low growing Forget-me-nots, Crocuses, or Pansies. Along side these blooms plant some higher growing Daffodils like ‘Beige Beauty’. By having plants at different levels there will be a wall of color in your garden.

Try contrasting color. Plant some blue Lobelia around some yellow ‘Spellbinder’ Daffodils. The contrast in color between the blue and yellow flowers is an awesome effect.

Purchasing and Planting

Before purchasing your bulbs check and see if they come with a guarantee. Choose the bigger bulbs that are firm and look fresh. Avoid bulbs that are soft or moldy. It is ok if the bulbs have a thin loose covering. Be sure to plant them as soon as you can after purchasing.

Plant your Daffodil bulbs in early fall. Dig a hole twice as wide as the bulb and 7 inches deep. Mix some bulb food with the soil and add some compost. Plant the bulb tip side up. Dig the next hole about 5 inches away from the first hole. Fill the holes with the rest of the soil and pat down to prevent the bulb from moving. You might want to mark your bulbs positions especially if planting bulbs in your lawn as the grass can quickly grow over the hole. Once planted water well and cover with about 2 inches of mulch.

General Care

Daffodils require at least 6 hours of sun. In zones 7-10 plant you bulbs on the north side of the tree, house or other structure so the Daffodil bulbs are sheltered from the noon sun. The soil must be well-drained so bulbs will not rot. If you have poor draining soil add gravel or compost. If you want to cut Daffodils for indoor arrangements do so in the morning so they will last longer.

Do not fertilize your Daffodils after they bloom. Instead remove the flowers and let the leaves turn yellow. If you plant bulbs 2 inches deeper than recommended the Daffodils will grow back yearly and do not need to be dug up at the end of each growing season.

Daffodils are prone to Thrips. These are small bugs that cause the leaves and flowers to turn brown. To treat remove the pests and infested parts of the plant. Try insecticidal soap, sticky traps, or lacewings to get rid of these insects.

Seasonal Tips

In early fall plant your bulbs in colder climates. Add bone meal to the bulbs. In warm areas place the bulbs in your refrigerator for 8-10 weeks. Plant your refrigerated bulbs in mid-winter.

Spring is for deadheading faded or dead blooms. Also remove the seed heads. Leave the foliage but cut the stems all the way to their base.

In early summer remove the dying leaves. Dig up the bulbs and store in a cool dry place. Divide the bulbs if needed.

Quick Facts

Daffodils will flower in the spring. They grow well in zones 4-10 in full sun or partial shade. Daffodils make great cutting flowers. They prefer well-drained soil. This plant will spread out to 12 inches wide and will get as high as 2 feet tall.

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