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Do you want to grow daffodils but you don’t know how? This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about growing daffodils, from planting them in the fall or spring and caring for them throughout the year. Follow these simple steps and your garden will be filled with beautiful blooms all season long!
About Daffodils
- Scientific Name: Narcissus
- Common Name: Daffodil
Daffodils, also known as narcissus and jonquil, are the easiest bulbs to grow. Like all bulbs, they need well-drained soil and a winter freeze (If in zones 8+, bulbs will need to be chilled). However, full sun or even light shade will do. Daffodils are one of the most resilient and hardy of all bulbs. Planting daffodil bulbs in the Fall has become a yearly ritual in many families, one that evolves with the years but always gives back abundantly come Spring.
Daffodils originated in the meadows and woods of the Iberian peninsula, in Spain and Portugal. They have been cultivated for many centuries and were well known and grown in Europe in the 16th century.
Varieties of Daffodils
There are hundreds of Daffodils with different colors, petal shapes, and bloom times. Here are a few of my favorites:
- White Narcissus Barrett Browning
- British Gamble Daffodil
- Rip Van Winkle Specie Daffodil
- Ice Follies Daffodil
- Professor Einstein Large Cupped Daffodil
- Peach Cobbler Daffodil
- Mallee Pink Daffodil
- Pink Narcissus Replete
- Yellow Cheerfulness
Where To Plant Daffodil Bulbs
Daffodils like full-sun or partial-sun and need well-drained soil. Daffodils can grow well beneath leafy trees as they will finish blooming before the trees have leafed out. However, they do not do well under evergreens because they will constantly be covered in the shade.
When to Plant Daffodil Bulbs
Daffodil or narcissFallulbs are planted in the Fall when the weather starts to cool and before hard freezes set in. In more northern regions, daffodil bulbs can be grown in late September through October, while in more southern areas, the planting time is October through November. Daffodils thrive when the weather is cool, so, in general, fall planting bulbs should be planted when the soil temperature is cooler than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The soil should be below 60 degrees Fahrenheit but not frozen.
5 Tips For Planting Daffodil Bulbs
Planting Daffodils in the Fall is a beautiful addition to your garden and yard! Seeing them pop up and bloom in early Spring is one of the best feelings in the world! In this blog post, I will discuss how to plant daffodil bulbs so you can enjoy them for years to come!
- Daffodils like well-drained, enriched garden soil; they do not like hard clay soil.
- Plant six weeks before you expect frost and up to a hard freeze.
- Plant the larger bulb two times deeper than the bulb’s height (this is the general rule for all large bulbs). For example, a typical garden daffodil bulb is 2-3 inches in size, so that you would plant bulbs at least 6-9 inches below the soil.
- Make you plant them with the pointed side up and roots side down. Cover with soil and water well. You can continue to water if needed until winter moisture arrives.
| Pro Tip! A great tool to have handy is the Bulb Planter. |
How to Care for Your Daffodils Flowers
When the Daffodils bloom during the Spring, you can enjoy them in the garden or as cut flowers.
After flowering, the bulbs will start to store energy for next year’s flowers by slowly beginning to die down. For this reason, it is essential to let the flower die back naturally. Then, when the entire plant has yellowed, it is time to cut it back.
Some gardeners like to dig their bulbs up and store them until Fall to replant them in the Fall. Or, you can leave them in the ground to return the following year.
If you do dig your bulbs, wash them, and allow them to dry very thoroughly (1 week or so). Then you can store them in a cool, well-ventilated place until it iFallme to plant them in the Fall.
FAQS:
Do deer eat Daffodils?
Good news! Unlike some spring-flowering bulbs that are candy to deer, Daffodils are toxic and generally left alone.
How deep do you plant daffodil bulbs?
Plant your Daffodils bulbs so that the pointy end is at least two times as deep as the bulb is high (top of a 2? bulb is 4? deep).
How do I get Daffodils to rebloom?
Many daffodil varieties bloom once a year, but some will come back for several years.
Do Daffodils grow back every year?
Luckily, Daffodils will come back year after year. Each year, Daffodils will produce more bulbs. If the Daffodils become too crowded, they may not perform as well, so you may need to dig them up and divide them. However, you will need to wait to dig up and divide them until they bloomed and died away.
When do Daffodils begin to appear?
In late winter or early Spring, daffodil sprouts appear, sending up leaves and flowers using the stored energy in the bulb. The leaves perform photosynthesis to feed the bulb while providing energy for the flowers, which may last up to three weeks.
I forgot to plant my Bulbs in the Fall. Can You Plant Daffodil Bulbs in the Spring?
Yes, you can plant daffodil bulbs in Spring. However, to make them thrive, ensure they are well buried deeper in the soil, water them, and apply mulch. The Daffodils will likely bloom late in the coming summer or next.
When to Fertilize Daffodils?
The most appropriate time to fertilize Daffodils is during Spring. Fertilize your Daffodils after they are grown to about 3 inches in Spring just before bloom. Use a low-nitrogen, high-potash fertilizer or consider a granular all-purpose fertilizer. Place or drop the recommended amount of fertilizer all around the base of each plant from the ground.
Can You Plant Daffodils in Pots or Containers?
Yes, Daffodils will glow anywhere, whether it’s in pots or containers. First, however, select a deep container that allows their roots to grow as they look for nutrients. Next, you need to water the plants and expose them to direct sunlight to thrive and bloom come Spring. Also, ensure that your pot or container has holes at its bottom or sides to allow excess water to drain freely.
What are the Best Types of Daffodils for Pots?
The best Daffodils to grow in pots or containers are mini Daffodils. Some of the varieties you can choose from are the Jetfire, Minnow, and the Cyclamineus Tete Boucle Daffodil.
Should I Dead-Head Daffodils? What Does That Mean?
Deadheading Daffodils is the removal or cutting off of the wasted flowers or when they start to fade. It is not necessary to deadhead the plants as pod formation has minimal impact on their growth and vigor. However, there is no harm in deadheading as it helps the bulbs to build up more reserve energy for the next season.
How Long Do Daffodils Bloom?
Daffodil blooms can last for two to three weeks. However, the time-lapse will depend on the temperature, the variety you cultivate, and your location. Most cultivated varieties will have a 6-8-week long flowering season, and Irish Luck is a good example. Meanwhile, when the temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, blooming shortens to as low as a few days.
How Do Daffodils Spread?
Daffodils spread or multiply into two ways: asexual cloning (bulb division) and sexual (through seeds). Asexual methods include stem bulblets, offsets, and the division of basal sections that are planted. The sexual process involves the production of sources that are then planted.
Where Do Daffodils Grow Best?
Daffodils will do well in a site exposed to full sun or partial sun. They will do best when exposed to sunlight for at least 6 hours each day. Besides, reliable spring bulbs will thrive in moderately fertile and well-drained soil. Watering the flowers will enhance their growth, especially on dryer days.
Are Daffodils Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes, Daffodils are poisonous to dogs when they eat flowers or bulbs. Also, if your dog drinks water from a vase with daffodil flowers in it, it is likely to fall sick. The spring flower can cause an upset stomach, vomiting and make your puppy very sleepy once ingested.
Will Daffodils grow through the grass?
Yes, several daffodil varieties can grow on grass. Some of the recommended types include the Narcissus Thalia, Little Witch, Peeping Tom, and February Gold will do exceptionally well when grown on the lawn.
Are Daffodils Good for Bees?
Daffodils are good for bees as they have lots of pollen and nectar, but bees tend to avoid them unless there is nothing else on offer. In early Spring, the Daffodils supply the much-needed pollen and nectar to hungry bees and other pollinators. I have a blog post all about flowering plants that attract bees.
Conclusion
Daffodil bulbs are one of the easiest flowering plants to grow in gardens and yards. They’re easy to plant, and they come back year With with little or no fuss on your part! What’s not to love?
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