by J.B. Doyle

Created on: September 02, 2009

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Excerpt from "Daffodils" by William Wordsworth

Daffodils are best known as bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. However, numerous forms of daffodils now exist, large and small, yellow, white, peach, and pink. Once established, they are easy to care for, and are a great addition to any perennial garden. They are hardy flowers which do well in planting zones four through eight. Most garden bulb thieves find the daffodil bulbs unpalatable.

The bulbs are generally planted in the fall, about a month before the first heavy frost. September is best in cooler climates, October or November in the warmer ones. They are generally planted six to nine inches apart depending on the size of the bulb; give them as much room as you can as more bulbs will grow onto the original. The larger the bulb, the larger the daffodil will be. Select a sunny place for these flowers, and plant as many as space will allow. Daffodils are most striking in a garden when planted in multiples.

The depth of soil is determined by the size of the daffodil bulb; the general rule is that they should be planted at a depth of three times as deep as they are long. The narrow part of the bulb should be pointing upwards. Slow release fertilizer can be mixed into the soil while planting if the soil isn't rich in nutrients. Make sure the the soil is not packed too tightly, and that it is well drained. After planting, place a layer of mulch over the soil to protect the bulb from fluctuating temperatures. Water well-the bulbs won't grow well in dry soil.

Once daffodils cease blooming, remove the flowers and cut back the bloom stalks. Be sure, however, to leave the foliage. The bulbs need nutrients from the foliage to bloom the next year. Eventually bulbs will multiply, so they will need to be divided every three to four years to avoid overcrowding. When overcrowded, the bulbs will produce a lot of foliage, but no blooms. Bulbs can be divided in late spring or early fall. Gently dig up the bulbs. Discard any soft or spongy bulbs; replant only firm bulbs.

With a little care, your daffodils will be a welcoming icon of Spring for many years.

Learn more about this author, J.B. Doyle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.