Narcissus Seeds for Home Gardeners

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are among the most popular of all spring-flowering perennial bulbs in growing regions that have the winter chill needed for the bulbs to reset themselves. Depending on the type of daffodil, the corona can be pronounced large, small, split, or even lampshade-like. Most varieties have blossoms in shades of yellow, but there are also white, orange, pink, and bicolor cultivars. Even in warm regions, daffodils are often purchased as prechilled bulbs and planted as annuals. Clusters of strappy basal leaves appear shortly after winter snows melt, followed shortly by flowers with a trumpet-shaped corona, or cup, encircled by a six-lobed corolla.

SUN: While daffodils thrive best when planted in full sun (at least six hours), they can withstand a bit of partial shade or dappled light.

SOIL: Daffodils prefer a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH of around 6.0 to 7.0 and thrive in rich, moist soil. However, as with most bulbs, they require excellent drainage.

WATER: Daffodils like to be watered regularly in the spring and fall, but watering should be stopped in mid to late spring, about three to four weeks after the flowers fade. During the summer, daffodils go dormant and prefer a drier soil.

WHEN TO PLANT: Daffodils are best-planted in mid-to-late autumn and will begin to rear their heads in early spring, reaching peak bloom about a month before the average last frost date.

PLANTING SUGGESTIONS: Daffodils are pretty self-sufficient, but if you have poor soil or the plants are not flowering as much as they should, top dress with bulb food when the leaves first emerge. Lightly feed again when they flower.

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