Who doesn’t want an early spring full of colour and life? Daffodils are the ultimate harbingers of the new season. Their brilliant yellow, white or orange flowers bring instant sunshine to your garden, balcony or terrace. And best of all is that you only have to plant them once and they’ll come back every spring!
Why daffodils?
Daffodils (Narcissus) are a favourite spring flower because they’re low-maintenance, grow effortlessly in almost any garden and require little care. Plant them in autumn and enjoy a profusion of vibrant blooms for years. Their versatility means that they do well in borders, lawns, pots and window boxes. And as an added bonus, deer and rabbits usually leave daffodils alone.
Planting tips for blooming good results
Plant daffodils between September and November – before the first frost – because they need a cold period to flower in spring. Choose a sunny spot or one in light shade, with well-drained soil. Use large pots or containers with drainage holes and mix some sand into the potting soil. Plant the bulbs two to three times as deep as their height, with the tip facing up. After flowering, you can deadhead the blooms but leave the leaves alone until they yellow: the bulb will then store energy for the next year.
Creative planting
You can be creative when planting daffodils. For example, scatter the bulbs randomly over the lawn and plant them where they land for a natural look (do not mow the grass until the leaves have yellowed). In pots, you can combine different daffodil varieties to enjoy longer flowering times or mix them with other spring bloomers such as tulips (Tulipa) and grape hyacinths (Muscari). And smaller, compact daffodils such as ‘Tête-à-Tête’ are perfect for on the balcony. They take up little space yet provide plenty of joyful spring atmosphere.
Did you know…
- Daffodils symbolise new beginnings and hope, which is most welcome after a long winter.
- There are thousands of varieties, from mini-daffodils to impressive trumpet daffodils.
- Daffodils self-propagate and often return in greater numbers each year.
- Some daffodils have particularly lovely scents – especially the varieties with smaller flowers, such as jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla).
