By Kat Yares, Garden Guides Contributor
About Daffodils
Daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus and are one of the most
beautiful and popular bulb flowers in any garden. Other names for
the daffodil include jonquil and white narcissi. One of the first
flowers to make their appearance in early spring, the daffodil
signifies the end of winter. Daffodils have a trumpet shaped center
against star shaped petals. The trumpet is often a contrasting
color to the star. Daffodils are generally around 2 feet tall with
5-inch blooms.
Site Preparation
Daffodils, like most flowers, prefer a well-drained, sunny
location. The soil should be slightly acidic and include composted
organic matter or manure.
Special Features
Daffodils have been recorded in history as early as the second
century B.C. They are believed to have been native to the area
around the Mediterranean Sea and were an important flower to both
the Greeks and the Romans. Many homesteaders in the westward
migration of the early United States felt that daffodils were an
essential plant to have on the homestead. Many abandoned home sites
can be recognized today by the clumps of daffodils growing in the
fields.
Choosing a Variety
Daffodils come in a variety of color combinations. Most all
daffodils have a majority of yellow, with different shades of
yellows, golds and whites as contrast. Oranges, blues and greens
are grown, but are limited in number of bulbs produced and sold.
Miniature daffodils that grow only 2 inches tall are available for
show or for container growing in the home.
Planting
Daffodil bulbs are planted in the late fall. Use a trowel to dig a
hole 2 inches deeper than the size of the bulb. Take care to plant
the bulb top up and cover with at least 2 inches of prepared soil.
Once all bulbs have been planted, water the area thoroughly to
remove any air pockets remaining in the soil around the
bulbs.
Care
Daffodils need water every week during their growing season. Water,
if needed, to provide approximately 1 inch of moisture weekly.
Apply mulch around the plants to preserve moisture. After blooming,
cut the foliage back when the leaves begin to yellow. Dig up the
bulbs in early summer, wash and let dry thoroughly. Store the bulbs
in burlap or potato sacks in a well ventilated area until time to
plant in the fall. Alternately, the bulbs can be left in the ground
and dug up for dividing every 5 years. This method may produce
fewer flowers, but is also less work for the gardener.
