Narcissus: Daffodil
Ah, these heralds of spring! In pots, borders, rock gardens, beds, window boxes, lawns- is there anywhere these beauties don't look good?
Plant care & info
Genus: Narcissus
Common Names: Daffodil, Jonquil
Origin: 50 species from Southern Europe and Morocco, with a few originating in western Asia, Japan, and China. They have now been placed in 12 groups based on appearance.
Blooms February through May in full sun to part shade. Narcissus prefers a fertile, moist, and well-drained site. While they are very easy care and will often tolerate a wide array of soils and conditions, good drainage is essential.
Once planted, they are nearly pest and disease free. Bulb flies can occasionally be troublesome and slug baiting is recommended (a multi-use product that will also protect from cut worms is available as well). Although rot in the garden can be avoided by planting with good drainage, it is often an issue during storage. Essentially, once bought or divided, plant promptly to avoid rot.
Fertilize when planting or in early spring with a slow release bulb food or bone meal. Keep moist during any spring dry spells. Let foliage yellow before cutting back. Lifting the bulbs is not necessary in our climate.
Spreads into clumps. Divide bulbs when flowering decreases (for many Narcissus this may be a few years) and replant immediately at least 6 inches apart from other clumps. This is best done in July or August. Pro tip: Marking your daffodil’s location in the spring makes it easier to find them in summer.
Daffodils are perennial spring bloomers, and bulbs are planted in the fall.
After the foliage yellows, they can then be transplanted directly into the garden and will continue to bloom year after year. As with many bulbs, daffodils are very suitable for growing in pots and window boxes—or for filling in among plants in the garden bed. They are wonderful additions to borders and lawns. If you want to create a stunning springtime display and still keep your grass nice, consider planting in a bulb planter.
When using bulbs, planting en masse provides the greatest impact. In garden beds, groups of three planted in loose triangle shapes look best. For lawns or in a large space under trees, a more natural look can be achieved by “sowing” the bulbs onto the ground and planting them where they land.
Narcissus should be planted twice as deep as the height of the bulb. Shallow planting makes the bulbs reproduce faster but smaller, while deeper planting creates larger bulbs more slowly. Incorporate fertilizer at planting time or feed with a slow-release product in fall. Cut off the heads if you wish, leaving the foliage until it yellows or dies back naturally. This will provide the bulb with the greatest amount of nutrients. Do not tie up or knot foliage.
If you choose to have them indoors as a cut flower, it is best to enjoy them on their own as Narcissus species contain calcium oxalate crystals that often cause other flowers in the vase to wilt.
