Worldwide, daffodils are the favorite bulb for the garden, multiplying year after year. They are hardy, reliable bulbs that work well in groupings and in the landscape. In the past you could say 'daffodil' and almost everyone would immediately envision the stately yellow bloom with a yellow cup. Now the tried and true standard yellow daffodils have lots of company in a surprising selection of color combinations. How about trying a few daffs that have an orange cup? Or maybe one of the delicate, pale yellow varieties? Or how about that one with creamy white blooms? Or how about …
What's the difference between a daffodil and a narcissus? Nothing.
Narcissus is the botanical name and daffodil is the common name for all these beautiful spring flowers. Jonquils and paperwhites are just two of the subgroups of the daffodils. In gardening, the words daffodil and narcissus are used interchangeably.
How do I choose what type of daffodil to grow? There are so many daffodils available that sometimes it's hard to choose. Most important is to choose varieties you find attractive. Color and form are usually the reason to choose a certain variety. Secondly, consider the height of the plant that will grow from that bulb and the size of the blooms.
Do they bloom at different times? With a little planning, you can plant daffodils that will provide you with a succession of blooms over six weeks. Packages of bulbs are marked Early, Mid or Late to indicate season of bloom. These designations vary as much as three weeks according to the spring weather.
Where will daffodils grow? Daffodils are extremely adaptable bulbs, growing anywhere there is well-drained soil and at least a half-day of sun during the blooming season. If you aren't buying your bulbs from a reliable local supplier, be sure to inquire about hardiness.
When should daffodils be planted? In our climate, daffodils can be planted all through October. It is important not to plant the bulbs too early or they will begin to send up their flower shoot before the ground freezes. If this happens, you may loose next spring's blooms, and possibly the bulbs. The later in the season you put in your daffodils, the deeper you should plant them.
How close should I space my daffodils? On average, daffodils are planted 4 to a square foot. Exact spacing of your bulbs depends on where they are being planted and the effect you want to achieve. When you are planting a bed for a mass effect, plant 4-5 per square foot. Daffodils can also be planted in small clusters, spacing them 6-7 bulbs per square foot. When naturalizing, daffodils might be planted with as few as 2 bulbs per square foot, on a random pattern. When planting bulbs in pots for forcing, you can put them as close as possible without touching each other.
How deep should I plant daffs? The average depth of planting for daffodils in our climate is 6-8 inches deep. This depth is the amount of soil over the daffodil, not the depth of the hole.
Some of the smaller daffs can be planted a little shallower. A basic rule is that you should plant it deep enough that you could stack two more bulbs on top of it and still be below soil level.
Should I use any fertilizer? Even though a true bulb comes with everything it needs to grow and bloom in the bulb, you will want to provide it with a little extra to encourage good root formation. Fertilizer at planting also helps ensure that your daffs increase. Dutch bulb growers have realized that bone meal is now over -processed and doesn't always provide the best food for the bulbs. To get your bulbs off to a good start, fertilize with bulb food or Bachman's Garden Food.
Should I protect my daffodils from squirrels? Unlike tulips, daffodil bulbs are horrible tasting, so they are seldom bothered by wildlife.
How do I care for them after they bloom? As the flower blooms begin to fade, it is important to remove the flower stem itself from the plant. This will encourage the bulb to put its energy to increasing its size, instead of producing seedpods. It is important to take care of the leaves on the daffodils until they begin to wither in midsummer. After the blooms have faded, feed the remaining foliage with a good perennial fertilizer. Removing the foliage too soon is the number one cause of daffodils failing to bloom the next season.
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