All About Daffodils

Dear February Gold

2012-04-14T23:34:00.000-05:00

Dear February Gold,
As you know, our relationship has been long and troubled.I have been agonizing over this for months now and as much as it hurts me to say this,I think I have to break up with you once and for all.

This can't come as a total shock to you since it's obvious you haven't been happy in my garden for a very long time.At first everything was great but the happiness was short-lived. Over the past several years I have given you as many chances as I possibly could to prove that you wanted to be in my garden and my life but you've just let me down time and time again.

As I look back on our relationship over the 14 years or so since we first met I realize that I have spent most of that time wondering what I have done to make you such a difficult daffodil .

When I first started growing daffodils almost two decades ago one of my goals was (and still is) to grow as many different types as possible. When I learned about the cyclamineus clan with their early blooms and highly recurving petals, I knew I had to make room for at least a few bulbs.

At that time I chose you over others of your ilk because you were described as one of the most dependable daffodils available. After all, you had been around since the 1920s so I didn't think I could go wrong.


February Gold in happier times

You did okay in the flower bed for a while but then you stopped blooming and didn't come back.I decided maybe my garden was not suitable for your kind of daffodil. Then,in the late 90s I planted your cousin Jenny and she did just fine until that freak April freeze took her from us in 2002.

In retrospect, my first hint that you weren't going to live up to your promises should have been your name:February Gold. You have never in all the years that I have known you bloomed before March 6th and your color is only truly gold for a few short minutes at sunrise and sunset. If your creator had given you a more honest name you would be called 'March Lemon.' I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but I've been holding back for years now and I have to speak my truth now.

We did have a few good years in the mid 2000s when you were living next to the sweet gum tree at the end of the big flower bed. You bloomed like crazy for a couple of years and became the star of my early season garden. I was awed and charmed by your large windswept flowers.

Then that horrible storm brought the tree down and everything changed. What had once been a cool,moist shady spot had suddenly turned into a hot,dry, full sun area. The hostas didn't make it through the spring and I knew you wouldn't either unless I acted fast.

I found a new home for you that should have been perfect. I was flabbergasted by your response to my kindness. Instead of being grateful you became cold and distant and spent the next three years pouting. You only bloomed once during that period. Still,I felt sorry for everything you had been through.
As I'm sure you remember I moved you back to your formerly favorite spot now shaded by a young mulberry tree. I never saw you there again.

I decided to give up on you at that point but I did miss your roguish good looks so I changed my mind and gave you one last chance. Last November I found what couldn't have been a more ideal spot for your finicky sensibilities near the wild grape vines in the back yard. This should have been perfect for you. But within 30 days that spot turned into a bubbling green mini-swamp.

I know you have no control over the weather,Feb,but you just seem to attract negativity everywhere you go.Every home I have ever given you turns into a mud puddle or a desert within a season of your arrival.

I feel that I have bent over backwards to make you happy and I just can't do it any more.

You haven't even been trying for a long time now.

Feb,you simply haven't lived up to the implied contract that exists when a gardener gives her precious garden space to a flowering bulb.. You know,I give you the conditions you need and you give me at least five years of beautiful blooms in return.

Our off and on relationship has come to remind me of a song that was popular when I was a teenager. Except for all the human love parts,that is:

Your heart just isn't in this relationship any more. As much as it hurts me to say this,I feel I have no choice but to cut you from my garden lineup permanently.

In the name of honesty, I have one last confession to make..I have met another cyclamineus and I have given him your formerly favorite spot under the mulberry tree. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this but it's your little brother,Rapture.I know this can't be easy for you. You've complained several times about what show-offs you think Rapture and your cousin Peeping Tom are.

Rap absolutely loves my garden and he has bloomed beautifully and returned faithfully in difficult conditions for two years now. He shares some of the negatives of your family line,like blooming a little later than he should but I can live with that.

There's really no kind way to say this Feb,but your brother is simply nicer and prettier than you are. I think Rap and I are going to be very happy together.

Rapture,my new love

There.I've said what I had to say. It wasn't easy. Please don't try to change my mind. You know as well as I do that this is for the best.

Even though we will no longer be together I want you to know that I wish you no ill will. I just think it will be best for both of us if you move on to a more suitable garden. Maybe Virginia or the Carolinas would be more to your liking.

Our time together wasn't all bad,was it? I have a few pics of some of our good times and I will always treasure them. I will never forget you,Feb.

Farewell,
Tyla.

All About Daffodils Supports SOPA Blackout

2012-01-18T03:50:00.000-06:00

Please go to http://sopablackout.org/learnmore/ to learn more about the PIPA and SOPA bills and how they could change the internet as we know it.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T03:29:00.000-05:00

This is an Ice Follies daffodil that is blooming now in my Garden. I just happened upon it yesterday and I couldn't believe it. It is blooming about six weeks late. These bulbs were presumed lost after the falling pine tree destroyed most of that half of the flower bed three years ago.Ice Follies has always been one of my favorite daffodils and I really missed it so I planted more of them last November. Those flowers came and went over a month ago so this flower was quite a surprise.

I thought it was the perfect daffodil to share to wish everyone a Happy Easter. I know many people are still reading this blog even though I haven't been posting lately. In fact more people are reading now than they were when I was posting frequently. I want to let you know that I appreciate my readers and I do have a lot more to say about growing daffodils so be on the lookout for all new photos and articles. It's been a great spring for the daffodils in my garden and I can't wait to share it with you all.

Spring Is Finally Here And The Daffodils Are Back!

2010-04-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

After a long bitterly cold winter here in East Alabama (Zone 7b)the daffodils are blooming again. Woo Hoo! Blooming is more sparse than usual but of course daffodils are tough plants that can withstand extreme weather conditions. We had temperatures so low in January and February that some bulbs were heaved from the ground. I've never seen that before in the Deep South.

Here are a few pictures that were taken from February through Easter Sunday:

February

Many of the normal February daffodils such as "February Gold" and the bulbocodium types were total no-shows this year.There are also usually some large cupped and trumpet types blooming by the end of the month but not this year. At least I got some great snow pictures.

March

The month of March featured large cupped and trumpet daffodils as usual although they were blooming about two weeks late. The yellow trumpet daffodils in picture 1 started blooming at the end of the month about 2-3 weeks later than normal.

The bud in the second pic matured into the beautiful double daffodil in picture number three. These are the same heirloom daffodils I featured here last year but I still haven't learned the name of this variety. They were blooming about two weeks earlier than usual. I guess the cold winter was good for them.

April

On the First of April this patch of Mount Hood daffodils that haven't bloomed at all for two years produced this perfect flower. It's normal bloom time is mid-March. The flower eventually will fade to a beautiful creamy white.

On Easter Sunday the yellow trumpets were still making a wonderful display but were beginning to fade.

The double daffodil in picture number two is called "Cheerfulness". It was blooming right on time.

The "Thalia" triandrus daffodils are still in bloom all over the neighborhood.

All in all it hasn't been a great daffodil season here but the ones that have bloomed have performed outstandingly. It doesn't look as if the late blooming jonquils or any of the pink daffodils will bloom but there's still a little time. Maybe there will be some surprises before the month is over.

I have posted many more daffodil pictures and more on my Flickr photostream.

I will continue my series on the 13 Divisions of Daffodils. Narcissus poeticus is next on the list. Stay tuned.

Merry Christmas From All About Daffodils

2009-12-25T00:14:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Narcissus Tazetta Papyraceous:Paperwhite Narcissus

2009-12-17T09:52:00.001-06:00

Narcissus tazetta papyraceous is also known as the paperwhite narcissus,narcissus polyanthus, or simply "paperwhite".Paperwhites are a popular bulb for growing indoors,especially at Christmastime. Paperwhites,like most other narcissus are native to the Mediterranean and are not hardy outdoors in most of North America.

Paperwhites were once considered to be a separate type of narcissus than other other types but they have been hybridized with tazetta daffodils for so long that they are now classified with them in Division 8. The familiar characteristics of paperwhites are white flowers that grow in large clusters and a strong,musky fragrance.

Although paperwhites are usually grown indoors they can be grown in the garden if you live in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.There are many old varieties of paperwhites that have naturalized in the Gulf Coast region. Many of the variety names have been lost to time but they still happily grow and bloom for generations.

Paperwhites will also grow outdoors in parts of southern California that don't have hard frosts. The varieties you'll find here are the same or similar to the ones that grow on the gulf Coast.

I have known of some gardeners who have successfully grown them in Zone 7 but they are not reliably perennial that far north. They may survive for several years and then succumb to a late frost that occurs while the bulbs are blooming.

If you visit the Gulf Coast or California in the late winter you'll probably see many cluster flowered daffodils with white petals and small yellow cups. These bulbs are all closely related and many of them are no longer available commercially. If you live in these regions you may be able to obtain some of these precious bulbs directly from the gardener.

In my research for this post I found several articles that revealed paperwhites were an important cash crop in the coastal South in the 1930s and 40s. Many of those paperwhites still grow from Florida to Texas although only a few commercial growers still exist. Apparently a rare mealy bug infestation (yes,mealy bugs are outdoor pests in the South) in the early 1950s drove many of these small growers out of business.

Today most commercially grown varieties of paperwhites come from Israel where they have been grown since biblical times. The most popular paperwhites today are Ziva, Inball, Nir, Ariel,Soleil D'or, and the ancient Chinese Sacred Lily.

Quick Tips For Growing Paperwhites Indoors

1. Paperwhite bulbs only need 2-3 inches of soil for their roots,so shallow containers are ideal. A pretty ceramic or terra cotta pot is nice if you're using soil. For planting in marbles,stones,or pebbles a clear container will show off the planting medium and the plant roots.

2. The planting medium for your narcissus bulbs just needs to provide support for the plants and must be suitable for roots to grow through.

3.Plant the bulbs with the narrow part pointing upward (the rounder,fatter end points downward) with the tops of each bulb above the soil/pebble line.Plant close together, almost touching, for the best display.

4.Add water so the planting medium stays moist. If planted in pebbles or marbles, add enough water to come within 3/4” of the top of the pebbles. If the bulbs are left in standing water they will rot. You want the base of the bulbs to just touch the water.

5. Place the pot or bowl in sunny or very bright location. Light will keep stems from growing too tall and becoming floppy.For another method of keeping paperwhite stems from becoming floppy,see Paperwhite Narcissus for Indoor Flowers All Winter Long. Paperwhites will usually flower within a month from planting.

After your paperwhites have bloomed and gone dormant, you can plant them in the garden if you live in a frost-free area . It's better to grow them in soil rather than pebbles if you want to move them outdoors later. Be aware that your bulbs may not bloom for two or three years.

For even more tips on growing narcissus tazetta papyraceous (paperwhite bulbs) please see some of my earlier articles:How To Keep Your Paperwhites From Falling Over By Giving Them Alcohol (eHow)

Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs For Indoor Blooms All Winter Long (Squidoo)

Ziva Paperwhite

Next time I'll tell you about the Poet's Daffodil:Narcissus Poeticus

Narcissus Tazetta:The Bunch-Flowering Daffodil (Division 8)

2009-12-11T05:56:00.001-06:00

Narcissus tazetta,also known as the bunch flowering daffodil,is the oldest type of garden narcissus.Narcissus tazetta bulbs were grown in ancient Greece and Egypt and have been grown in Northern Europe for at least 500 years.

Tazetta daffodils have a strong fragrance and are usually the flowers used for extracting narcissus absolute essential oil. The scent is sweet with fruity or slightly musky notes and is often mixed with other floral and herbal oils to produce some of the world's most prized and expensive perfumes.

Narcissus Tazetta Is Native To The Mediterranean

Division 8 daffodils are native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean but have spread to grow all over Europe and Asia and parts of Africa. They have also naturalized in many parts of the Southeastern U.S.

Narcissus tazetta easily forms natural hybrids when several varieties are grown near each other and plant breeders often cross tazettas with daffodils from other divisions, especially narcissus jonquilla and poeticus, to increase the hardiness and bloom count.Tazetta daffodils that have been crossed with poeticus types are called poetaz and usually have pure white petals and a strong,spicy scent.

Tazetta daffodils are called bunch-flowering for good reason. This narcissus has at least three and up to twenty flowers on each stem. The stems of tazettas are stout and thick so the large clusters of flowers are well supported.

Tazettas Thrive In Deep South Gardens
Along with Jonquils,tazetta daffodils are some of the best types of daffodils for southern gardens. They will reliably flower and multiply even along the gulf coast where most other types of daffodils won't.

There are many tazetta daffodils that have naturalized in the warmer parts of the deep south. These daffodils with white petals and yellow cups carry names like Grand Primo and Seventeen Sisters,reflecting their large clusters of blooms. Each area seems to have its own daffodils of this type that escaped cultivation in an earlier era. They are sometimes called cream narcissus and are passed down as heirlooms from generation to generation.

Some of the best varieties of narcissus tazetta for the home garden are Geranium and Cragford (both poetaz hybrids from the early 20th century) which have white petals and orange cups and Minnow,a popular miniature daffodil with white petals and yellow cups.Falconet and Martinette are two types with yellow flowers and dark,almost red cups.

Cheerfulness,Bridal Crown (double Cragford) and Sir Winston Churchill(double Geranium) are double flowered tazettas (Division 4) that bloom a little later than their single forms and should be included in every southern garden.

Although these cluster-flowering daffodils thrive in southern gardens they will usually survive further north with some winter protection. They probably won't be reliable naturalizers in northern gardens,though.

Most Division 8 daffodils are late mid season bloomers but there are very early and late blooming varieties.The later blooming types have the best chance of perennializing in colder climates.

Tazetta daffodils are also a good choice for western gardens. Like most other daffodils,the bulbs thrive on hot, dry summers. If you grow daffodils in the dessert they will need watering and fertilizing while they are growing and blooming.

Narcissus tazetta is the best type of daffodil for indoor forcing because it doesn't need a chilling period like other types. Of course paperwhites are also in the tazetta group and I'll tell you about growing them in my next post.

*Photos from Wikimedia Commons

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T01:40:00.000-06:00

Today is Thanksgiving day in the USA. I know not everyone in the world celebrates the holiday but I just want to thank you for reading All About Daffodils. Don't forget to count your blessings!

Narcissus Jonquilla:The True Jonquil

2009-11-25T01:22:00.000-06:00

Narcissus Jonquilla is the true jonquil and is the 7th of the 13 Divisions of daffodils.Although they are listed as hardy from USDA Zones 5-9 they are most at home in areas with wet springs and hot,dry summers.

Jonquils have been popular in the South since colonial times and old types like Texas Star,Campernelle, and Louisiana Jonquil can still be found growing at old homesteads and cemeteries and along country roadsides.

Even though they have naturalized and escaped from gardens all over the southern states jonquils are European. Narcissus jonquilla is native to Spain and Portugal which has a similar climate to the warmer areas of the US.

Jonquils have several flowers per stem and are the most fragrant of all narcissus. Some of the newer hybrids have been bred to be larger but jonquils are naturally a small plant,no more than 8-10 inches tall.

Jonquils usually have wide, bell-shaped cups that are sometimes ruffled. Newer types may have much larger flowers and white petaled types with pink cups are becoming more popular.

The most distinguishing characteristic of narcissus jonquilla is its round blue-green leaves. Many newer hybrid jonquils have been crossed with tazetta type daffodils and may have the typical,wide,flat leaves of a daffodil. Almost all of the older garden jonquils have the round,rush-like leaves and small flowers.

Bell Song,the jonquil in the picture above is one of the newer types that has been crossed with another type of narcissus,probably a tazetta. If you look closely you can see that the leaves are wide and flat and not round like a true jonquil.

Jonquils Will Also Grow In Northern Gardens

Even though narcissus jonquilla is a southern favorite,gardeners in other regions can also grow jonquils successfully if certain simple steps are taken. Jonquil bulbs are planted just like any other daffodil.

In the desert or other areas with dry winters and springs you will need to make sure your bulbs get supplemental water during their growing season.

Jonquils should not be watered in the summer. They like to be in hot and dry soil during their dormant period so make sure they aren't planted a wet area.

In northern areas plant your bulbs as early as you can in an area of your yard that gets full sun during the spring and apply a thick mulch. If you're not sure if jonquils will do well in your garden try planting a few bulbs to see how they perform. If they do well you can always plant more next fall.

Jonquillas are generally late blooming and some of them will bloom for several weeks.

New Baby Jonquilla Daffodil

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Daffodil, Narcissus, or Jonquil: Is There A Difference?

2009-11-17T06:58:00.002-06:00

I tend to throw the terms daffodil,narcissus and jonquil around on this blog quite a bit. This may have led to some confusion among newbie gardeners who are unfamiliar with daffodil lingo. Is a daffodil the same as a narcissus?

This is the official answer from the American Daffodil Society website:

The two words are synonyms. Narcissus is the Latin or botanical name for all daffodils, just as ilex is for hollies. Daffodil is the common name for all members of the genus Narcissus, and its use is recommended by the ADS at all times other than in scientific writing.

So,the short answer is "yes." All daffodils are members of the narcissus genus. Narcissus is the proper name and daffodil is the common name. Especially in North America,all types of narcissus flowers are usually called daffodils except for regional differences.

As far as the common names used for members of the narcissus family in different regions, the official explanation doesn't explain the confusion. Many people until the early 20th century (and sometimes even now) only referred to yellow trumpet or large cupped narcissi as daffodils. Everything else,and particularly any white flowered types were called narcissus.

So What About Jonquils? Are They Daffodils?

The answer on this one is again "yes." All jonquils are properly called daffodils. But here's where it gets tricky. Not all daffodils are jonquils. Here's the official word from the Daffodil Society FAQ:

In some parts of the country any yellow daffodil is called a jonquil, usually incorrectly. As a rule, but not always, jonquil species and hybrids are characterized by several yellow flowers, strong scent, and rounded foliage. The hybrids are confined to Division 7 and the term "jonquil" should be applied only to daffodils in Division 7 or species in Division 13 known to belong to the jonquil group.

I grew up hearing older people in the south refer to yellow trumpet daffodils as jonquils and I still hear that every now and then. But the true jonquil has several smaller flowers per cluster and is usually fragrant. This cultivar called "New Baby" is a very good example of a true jonquil:

So,just to clarify,a narcissus and a daffodil are the same. Jonquils (narcissus jonquilla) are daffodils,too but not all daffodils are jonquils. Hope that clears it up.

Edit: Since I wrote this piece I found a great explanation of the differences between daffodils,jonquils and narcissus. Jerry Parsons, a retired Texas Extension agent, of Plant Answers.com explains narcissus nomenclature in an easy to understand way. Like many southerners he insists that only trumpet narcissus can truly be called a daffodil and he goes on to list the best narcissus for naturalizing in Texas.

Next, I'll tell you more about narcissus jonquilla,the true jonquil.

Cyclamineus Daffodils Of Garden Origin:Division 6|Narcissus Cyclamineus

2009-11-13T10:24:00.002-06:00

Cyclamineus daffodils (Division 6) are some of the most unusual and interesting members of the narcissus family. Like the picture above illustrates these distinctive daffodils have highly reflexed petals that stream backward from slender trumpets.Narcissus cyclamineus flowers are often humorously described as looking like they have been in a windstorm but that is an accurate description of these garden daffodils.

Narcissus cyclamineus likes moist,woodland conditions. It thrives when planted near hardwood trees. Since it is the first hybrid daffodil to bloom this bulb will go dormant long before the trees leaf out in the spring.Cyclamineus likes sun and moisture during its growing period and cool shaded roots during the summer.

Most daffodils like heat and dry soil in the summer but this one doesn't like to get too dry during its dormant period. Although cyclamineus likes moisture it doesn't like to have "wet feet",in other words,it won't tolerate standing water.

Cyclamineus daffodil flowers can be yellow or white and often have contrasting trumpets of orange,red or apricot pink. Breeding with other types of daffodils sometimes causes the petals to be less reflexed. Narcissus cyclamineus plants grow 6-12 inches tall.

Cyclamineus Daffodil Rapture

Rapture has the classic form of a cyclamineus daffodil with its reflexed petals and one flower per stem. Like all daffodils in this division it blooms very early and may be the first daffodil to bloom in your garden.

Next in our series of articles on the 13 Divisions of daffodil bulbs: Division 7-Narcissus Jonquilla-The Jonquils.

Division 5 Daffodils: Narcissus Triandrus

2009-11-09T04:30:00.001-06:00

Division 5 daffodils are the narcissus triandrus group. Triandrus daffodils have two or more flowers per stem. One of the popular names for triandrus daffodils is "Angel's Tears" which is a reference to the form of the flower rather than the name of a particular variety.The flowers are pendant meaning they face downward and appear to dangle from the stems.Wild narcissus triandrus flowers have highly reflexed,twisted petals.

Although wild or specie narcissus triandrus flowers are usually pale yellow like the Spanish wildflower above, most of today's popular garden hybrids are white. The white triandrus daffodils produce the crispest whites of any daffodils outside the poeticus division. Modern hybrids usually have petals that are less reflexed than the wild forms due to crossing with tazetta type daffodils.

Thalia, introduced in 1916, is still the most popular triandrus daffodil grown in gardens today. It is pleasantly fragrant and naturalizes well. This is the patch of Thalia that grows in my garden. It blooms in late March or early April in Zone 7.

Most narcissus triandrus bulbs are mid season bloomers. They do very well here in the south and should perform well in other areas if they are given a sunny spot that drains well. They will not do well in a damp, shaded area.

Note: I have seen a couple of sources state that all hybrid triandrus daffodils are sterile which means they would not need to be deaheaded. I'm not totally certain on that although I have noticed that Thalia doesn't produce much of a seedhead and its double form Calgary definitely doesn't produce seeds so it may be true that deadheading would not be required of any of the triandrus varieties.

White Daffodil Mixture
Triandrus daffodils seem to be in short supply this season but this mixture of white daffodils has a few triandrus specimens.

Next up: Narcissus cyclamineus,another near wild type of daffodil that, unlike Triandrus,does like a damper shadier area.

*Narcissus triandrus photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons

Double Daffodils Of Garden Origin

2009-11-06T05:06:00.000-06:00

Double daffodils of garden origin is the 4th division of the 13 types of daffodils.The term "daffodils of garden origin" simply means that the flower is a hybrid of a narcissus flower that was bred in the garden as opposed to a wild form.

The daffodils in most of the other 12 divisions have double forms and new ones are being developed by breeders every year. However, since the parentage of so many of the double daffodils has been lost over time all of the double narcissus forms are now assigned to the same division.

Once you are able to identify all the different types of narcissus flowers you can usually figure out which family a double daffodil comes from. For example, the double form of a trumpet daffodil flower will still have one large flower to a stem. Double tazetta daffodils will have a cluster of smaller blossoms.

Double Daffodil Probems

Some gardeners don't bother with double daffodils because they can be somewhat fussy to grow and the flowers often fall victim to spring weather extremes. Indeed,they can be challenging to grow,especially where spring weather tends to be warm and rainy.

For the most part double daffodils are late blooming and this is where much of the difficulty in growing them occurs. The flowers of the large double varieties tend to be to heavy for their stems and will fall over in the slightest rain or wind.

Double daffodil flowers are also susceptible to a problem known as blasting. This basically means the flowers dry up before they've had a chance to open. This problem is usually weather related and more common in late blooming double daffodils. For more information about the problems of growing double daffodils see my spring posts What Causes Daffodil Flower Blasting? and The Trouble With Double Daffodil Flowers.

Choosing The Best Double Daffodil For Your Garden

The good news is that if you choose carefully you can probably find at least one double daffodil that will grow and bloom in your garden. In general late blooming doubles will fare better in Northern gardens and earlier blooming doubles are better for the south.

If you'd like to try some of the fancier large double daffodils you may want to use some type of support to keep them from falling over in harsh spring weather. Stakes or circular grid supports that the plants can grow through will work fine.

For southern gardens,the late blooming double daffodils with large flowers are not the best choice. For hot climates choose early bloomers like Bridal Crown,which has clusters of small flowers and blooms early.

Northerners will do better growing the late blooming large doubles and if your budget allows you can try some of the more expensive bulbs like Rose of May(a very old double poeticus) or Golden Ducat(a double yellow trumpet).

Double Daffodil Mixture
This mixture of double daffodil bulbs is a good sampler of late blooming types. If you'd like to grow double daffodils but can't decide on a variety,this would be a good choice. If you live south of USDA Zone 6 the narcissus bulbs below would be a better choice for your garden.

Yellow Cheerfulness Double Daffodil
Cheerfulness has been sold by name since the 1920s and is one of the ancient types of daffodils called "poetaz,"meaning they are a hybrid of narcissus tazetta and narcissus poeticus. Cheerfulness also comes in a white form which is thought to be very old but wasn't registered by the name of Cheerfulness until the 1920s. Yellow Cheerfulness was introduced in 1937. It does well through Zone 8 and some coastal gardeners have claimed success with this lovely late blooming double daffodil.

Stay tuned for Division 5.

Small-Cupped Daffodils Of Garden Origin: Division 3

2009-11-02T03:57:00.000-06:00

Small-cupped daffodils,also called short-cupped daffodils are perhaps the most hybridized type of narcissus grown in gardens today.Small cups are some of the most beautiful daffodils and are also generally the most expensive type of daffodil bulbs to buy.

Like their trumpet and large-cupped cousins,this type of daffodil will produce one flower per stem.Short-cupped daffodils by definition have a cup that is less than one-third the length of the petals. But the most popular small-cupped narcissus flowers have cups that are much smaller than this.

Most of the Division 3 daffodils have narcissus poeticus(Division 9) parentage which explains the tiny "eyes" of this type. Poeticus daffodils are also called "Pheasant's Eye" because their tiny coronas resemble a bird's eye. The most common form has a green center surrounded by yellow band with a red ring around the outside.

Because most small-cupped daffodils are late blooming they are not the best type for southern gardens. They prefer the cooler spring weather of the northeastern U.S. and the Mid-Atlantic States. If you still want to try to grow short-cupped daffodils in the deep south try to find an early-mid season blooming variety.

If you need just a few daffodil bulbs to to plant in a formal flower bed and you're willing to pay a little more, a small-cupped daffodil could be one of the best specimens to choose. If you plant these bulbs make sure to plant them where the flowers can be seen and smelled. Small-cupped daffodils are special and deserve to be appreciated.

Small Cupped Daffodil Green Pearl

The Green Pearl small-cupped daffodil is a sport of Actaea, a very old variety of poeticus daffodil. Green Pearl blooms in mid season and has the typical spicy fragrance of a Pheasant's Eye narcissus.

Division 2: Large-Cupped Daffodils

2009-10-28T03:52:00.003-05:00

Large-cupped daffodils are the largest and most popular group of garden daffodils. Over half of all registered narcissus cultivars are this type. A search of any bulb catalog or website will usually show more large cupped daffodils than any other type.

Large-cupped daffodils,division 2 of the narcissus classification system, are also referred to as long-cupped or long-crowned daffodils.Like trumpet daffodils,large-cupped narcissus bulbs produce one large flower per stem.

The difference between large cups and trumpets in daffodil flowers can sometimes be hard to distinguish at first glance. In large-cupped daffodils the cup is longer than one-third but shorter than the length of the petal segments.

Most of the daffodils in the large-cupped narcissus group are great naturalizers,meaning they will grow and multiply without much intervention from the gardener. Plant them in a wooded area or in a large group on the edge of your lawn and they have the appearance of wildflowers.They are also good bulbs for the flower border.

Most gardeners will be able to find a large-cupped daffodil that will do well in their climate.Here are some popular large-cupped daffodils that you can order now to plant as soon as they arrive:

Large-Cupped Daffodil Bulbs

California Large-Cupped Daffodil
California is an improved version of the popular Carlton daffodil which was first sold in 1927. California has a long cup that almost qualifies as a trumpet. Like Carlton,the golden, vanilla scented California daffodil should do well in Southern gardens. California daffodils bloom in the early spring.

Riot Large Cupped Daffodil
Riot is a brand new daffodil for 2009.Its coral pink cup lays almost flat against the white petals. Unlike most large cup daffodils,Riot is a late season bloomer. This narcissus would look beautiful planted with tulips or grape hyacinths.

Curly Large Cupped Daffodil
Curly is an unusual daffodil with a dark yellow,almost orange,ruffled cup and bright white petals. A mid-season bloomer, Curly is a newer variety and is sometimes called "Amadeus Mozart."

Large Cupped Daffodil Ice Follies
Ice Follies was introduced in 1953 and has since become one of the most popular daffodils in the world. Its open,pleated corona(cup)flares outward and lays flat against the crisp white perianth(petals).The cup starts out lemon yellow and eventually fades to a soft ivory. Ice Follies produces a long lasting flower that holds up well to harsh late winter weather. This daffodil is very early blooming,sometimes blooming in February in Zone 7 and as early as January in Zone 8.

Next up: Division 3,the Small-cupped daffodils

The King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil:The True Story

2009-10-22T04:52:00.001-05:00

The King Alfred Trumpet daffodil was the first trumpet daffodil to be widely sold commercially. It was developed in the late 19th century by John Kendall,an English attorney and hobbyist plant breeder. Daffodil breeders had been developing trumpet daffodils for years but none had the most desired qualities of a huge trumpet and very large flowers.

Kendall died in 1890 so it is believed that the King Alfred daffodil dates to around that time. He never saw the first bloom of the flower that was named for Alfred The Great,the medieval English king. The first official record of King Alfred was in 1899 when it was registered with the Royal Horticultural Society.

The King Alfred trumpet daffodil produced a sensation among narcissus lovers. King Alfred had huge golden yellow flowers sometimes measuring four inches or more across on a plant that often reached two feet in height. The long, flaring trumpets protruding from slightly twisted petals were unlike anything ever seen among daffodil flowers. It was a big departure from older types like jonquils,paperwhites and pheasant's eye.

By the early 1900s the original hundred or so bulbs had multiplied enough for King Alfred to be sold commercially. When it was introduced to the North American plant trade,the new trumpet daffodil was a huge hit. Growers all over the United States scrambled to produce the bulbs in great enough numbers to ensure there would be plenty to be sell to home gardeners.

While America was falling in love with the new King Alfred daffodil,horticulturalists in Europe took the bulb and began to improve it, producing newer cultivars that had even bigger,longer lasting and more symmetrical flowers on stronger stems. By the 1920s only a few nurseries were still growing the true King Alfred.

Americans were very attached to the name King Alfred because because it was the first and only trumpet daffodil that they had ever known. The name "King Alfred" was never trademarked in any country so in the U.S. in particular King Alfred became the generic name for all yellow trumpet daffodils.

Even bulbs that date to the 1920s or 30s are likely to actually be newer varieties such as Golden Harvest or Dutch Master even though they were probably sold as King Alfred. To add to the confusion some botanists believe that nearly all of the original King Alfred bulb stock in North America was wiped out by a viral disease before the middle of the century.

Even today many plant retailers continue to sell daffodil bulbs carrying the King Alfred name.This raises the obvious question,"Is my daffodil the real thing?" The unfortunate answer is probably not, unless your bulbs are heirloom plants that come from a garden that dates to the turn of the 20th century.If you've bought daffodil bulbs sold as King Alfred in the last few years,especially if you bought in bulk or at a budget price,they are almost certainly not the real thing.

So does the true King Alfred daffodil still exist at all? The answer seems to be yes. King Alfred can still be found growing in old gardens and among the plants of collectors. There are a handful of bulb producers in Holland who still grow the real King Alfred in order to keep it from becoming extinct. Very few of the bulbs are still offered for sale though.

McClure and Zimmerman in Wisconsin sells small quantities that they order direct from the grower in The Netherlands. (I'm not affiliated with McClure and Zimmerman in any way. I do buy bulbs from them though.)

So,if you just found out the King Alfred trumpet daffodil bulbs your grandmother thought were the real deal probably aren't,don't be too disappointed. Since King Alfred is the ancestor of all trumpet daffodils even modern varieties have at least a little royal chlorophyll in them.

Trumpet Daffodils Are A Must For The Early Spring Garden

2009-10-20T23:30:00.006-05:00

Trumpet Daffodils,Division 1 of the 13 types of narcissus, are probably the most recognized member of the narcissus family. In fact, if I asked you to close your eyes and think of a daffodil I'll bet the picture in your mind would be of a huge yellow trumpet daffodil. If you're looking to plant daffodils this autumn, make sure to include at least one trumpet daffodil in your garden.

If you're new to growing daffodils the good news is that trumpet daffodils are among the easiest to grow even if you've never grown flowering bulbs before. Although they are more suited to cooler climates than warmer areas trumpet daffodils will bloom reliably in most gardens.

Even in hot southern coastal areas trumpet daffodils can be grown as annuals by giving the bulbs a cold treatment. This simply means putting them in the refrigerator in a paper bag for a few weeks before planting in the garden. Make sure you don't store fruits like apples and pears in the fridge with your daffodil bulbs. Fruits give off ethylene gas which could kill the bulbs.

A trumpet daffodil by definition has a trumpet that is at least as long as one of the petals(perianth.) The trumpet can be long and skinny or so wide that it almost hides the petals. The trumpet usually flares at the end. Trumpet narcissus flower sizes range from large like Dutch Master to the miniature W.P. Milner. Standard plants will reach 16-18 inches in height and miniatures usually grow 6-10 inches high.

Large trumpets daffs like the ones featured here can range widely in size depending on soil and weather conditions but there are things you can do do get larger flowers. If you have heavy soil make sure to loosen it as much as you can by adding amendments like greensand
and incorporating plenty of organic matter at planting time. I have also found that daffodil bulbs respond well to a feeding of kelp meal
which contains lots of the trace minerals that daffodil bulbs love and helps to feed micro organisms that oxygenate the soil.

Planting too shallowly is the most common reason for daffodil flowers that are too small,especially in warmer areas. Try to plant at least 6 inches deep if possible. If your soil is heavy make sure you plant at least 4 inches deep or your daffodil bulbs may not bloom at all. If you have to plant large bulbs less than 6 inches deep expect smaller flowers.

There are a few exceptions but trumpet daffodils are generally early bloomers. In my garden they begin blooming in February and continue until mid March. In the North they will probably bloom in April or earlier if the weather is warm.

Although trumpet daffodils are not the best performers in my garden I wouldn't be without them and the following varieties have done well for me. If you live in a colder zone they should bloom even better for you and will probably produce very large flowers.

Yellow Trumpet Daffodil Dutch Master
Dutch Master is the classic Yellow trumpet daffodil that has been a garden favorite since 1938. It is the successor to the famous King Alfred. Dutch Master can have flowers 4-6 inches wide under the right conditions.

White Trumpet Daffodil Mount Hood
Mount Hood is the best performing trumpet daffodil in my Zone 7 garden. The flowers start out a faint lemon yellow and mature to ivory white. It produces a robust flower that holds up to spring rains.Named after snow capped Mount Hood in Oregon,this white trumpet daffodil was first introduced in 1927.

Trumpet Daffodil Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a beautiful bi-color daffodil that will bloom reliably in all but the hottest areas. The trumpet is bright golden yellow and the perianth (petals) is creamy white.

The three daffodils here and many other types can be ordered now from Holland Bulb Farms. Time is getting short so make sure you order soon for the best selection.

* A Note about affiliate marketing: Most of the product links on All About Daffodils are affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you click on them and order. It doesn't affect the price you pay in any way but if you don't like the idea of a blogger recommending products for money you can go straight to the site to order. I strive to only refer my readers to quality products and I have ordered from most of these merchants myself and have been satisfied with the products and service I received.

Next, I'll tell you more about Division 2- Large-cupped daffodils.

The 13 Types Of Daffodils

2009-10-13T04:02:00.006-05:00

Today I'm going to do a quick run through of the 13 types of daffodils that you can grow in your garden. It's time for most gardeners in the Northern Hemisphere to begin planting flowering bulbs or at to begin choosing and buying them. I'll go into more detail on the different daffodil divisions in my next few posts but for today I'll name the different types so you'll know what to look for when choosing narcissus bulbs for your garden.

The Daffodil Society recognizes 13 divisions of daffodils including 12 types of hybrid daffodils and one division for specie or wild daffodils.

Also it's worth noting that miniature narcissus types do not have their own division. Each of the 13 divisions has miniature cultivars except for the Poeticus division.

Division 1
Trumpet Daffodils
One flower to a stem; corona (trumpet) as
long as, or longer than, the perianth
segments (petals).

Division 2
Large-Cupped Daffodils
One flower to a stem; corona (cup) more
than one-third but less than equal to the
length of the perianth segments (petals).

Division 3
Small-Cupped daffodils
One flower to a stem; corona (cup) not more
Than one –third the length of the perianth
segments (petals)
These daffodils usually have some poeticus parentage

Division 4
Double Daffodils of Garden Origin
One or more flowers to a stem, with doubling
of the perianth segments or the corona or both.

Division 5
Triandrus Daffodils
Characteristics of N. triandrus predominant:
two or more pendent flowers to a
stem; perianth segments reflexed.

Division 6
Cyclamineus Daffodils
Characteristics of N. cyclamineus clearly evident:
one flower to a stem; perianth segments significantly reflexed;
flower at an acute angle to the stem, with very short pedicel (“neck”)

Division 7
Jonquilla Daffodils
of Garden Origin
Characteristics of Jonquilla or Apodanthus clearly evident:
one to five flowers to a stem; perianth segments spreading or reflexed
flowers usually fragrant.
Apodanthus is not a term that is used frequently these days.They used to be considered a different type of narcissus from the jonquils but they are now classified in the same division. These daffodils are usually highly hybridized and tend to also have some tazetta parentage.

Division 8
Tazetta Daffodils of Garden Origin
Characteristics of the N. tazetta group predominant:
three to twenty flowers to a stout stem; leaves broad;
Perianth segments spreading, not reflexed; flowers fragrant.

Division 9
Poeticus Daffodils
Characteristics of the N. poeticus group predominant:
disc-shaped, with a green or yellow center and one flower to a
stem; perianth segments pure white corona usually a red rim; flower fragrant.
These daffodils are also known as Poet's Daffodils or Pheasant's Eye

Division 10
Bulbocodium Daffodils of Garden Origin
Characteristics of Bulbocodium clearly evident;
usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant
compared with corona; filament and style are usually curved.
Bulbocodium daffodils are also known as "hoop petticoat"or "hoop skirt" daffodils

Division 11
Split Corona Daffodils of Garden Origin
Corona split-usually for more than half its length; Division split into
a & b types, Collar & Papillon
a. Collar Daffodils
Daffodils with the corona segments opposite the perianth segments;segments usually in two whorls of three.
these are also referred to as Butterfly daffodils
b.Pappillon Daffodils
Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments alternate to the
perianth segments; the corona segments usually in a single whorl
of six

Division 12
Other DaffodilCultivars
Daffodil cultivars which do not fit the definition of any other division.
These are daffodils whose parentage cannot be easily traced. Some may be naturally occurring hybrids

Division 13
Species DaffodilsDistinguished Solely by Botanical Name
All species and wild or reputedly wild variants and hybrids.

Whew! That's a long list! Sorry I didn't post any pictures. The new Blogger editor is not linking to images for me right now. Hopefully they'll fix this soon.(Or I'll figure out what I'm doing wrong LOL!)

Also I did not post a link to the bulbocodium daffodils because it appears that there is a shortage of those this season. I couldn't find any for sale. I'll keep searching. Edit:Found Bulbocodium "Golden Bells" at Nature Hills.Inserted link.:)

In the next few days,I'm going to go more into depth about the different daffodil types and some of the terminology you might encounter when you're shopping for bulbs. And I'll try to get some pictures to upload,too.

Autumn Is Here At Last!

2009-09-28T04:35:00.005-05:00

Yea!The rain is gone and it finally feels like autumn! Yesterday was a sunny,dry day,the first one I've seen in ages. The rain and flooding that caused so much destruction last week have ended and things are slowly returning to normal.

The weather forecast for this week promises some real fall weather;clear with high temps in the 70s and lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s. That may seem hot for people in the north but it's normal for the south.

Even though it's not quite time to plant flowering bulbs in my garden,I know you gardeners in colder climates need to plant as soon as possible so I'm going to start picking up the pace here at the All About Daffodils Blog.

I have a lot of cool things planned for the fall season starting with a series on each of the 13 divisions of daffodils. Each type of narcissus has something special to offer in the garden and I'm looking forward to writing about all the different types of daffodils.

No gardener can live by daffodils alone so I will also be writing a post or two about other bulbs and spring blooming flowers that make good companions for your daffodils so be on the lookout for that.

Serious gardeners tend to also be avid readers so I've decided to do some reviews of books that you might find useful. You'll also need some good tools and soil amendments when you plant your bulbs so I'll have that covered,too.

October and November can be two of the busiest months of the year for gardening and I'm excited about all the cool things I have in store for my readers this fall. Stay tuned.

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Fall Brings Flood Misery To The Southeastern USA

2009-09-23T21:36:00.004-05:00

Since the autumnal equinox occurred yesterday afternoon we have now officially entered the autumn season.The Summer of 2009 was one of the coolest,wettest summers in the last couple of decades.

Here in Alabama,USA most of the state is under river flood warnings. Lakes,rivers, and creeks have overflowed their boundaries flooding urban and rural areas.

A quick Google search of "floods" followed by "south" or "Alabama" "Tennessee," "Mississippi," "Georgia" or the surrounding areas will reveal just how widespread the problems are. The Atlanta area has been hardest hit. At least ten people have lost their lives. Parts of Georgia have received a couple of feet,yes feet, of rain in only one or two days.

In east Alabama, where I live, the flooding hasn't been so bad and I'm thankful for that. My neighborhood has a lake on one side and a large creek fed by the Coosa river on the other. The water is high but it hasn't reached flood stage.

Across the South,people have drowned by driving into flood waters either unknowingly or on purpose,misjudging the depth of the water and believing they could make it across to dry land. Some have died when their homes were washed away by rushing,rapidly rising waters. The local news is filled with stories of people who have survived the floods but lost their homes,businesses and possessions.

Today was a drier day with some sunshine and warm temperatures that were a throwback to the hot summer weather we should have had at the beginning of September. Some of the water receded enough for people to begin to clean up their property and assess their losses. Many farmers have lost crops and livestock. I'm sure the losses will total billions of dollars before it's over.

More rain is expected for the weekend,however. Areas already saturated by too much rain will be prone to flash flooding. River flooding will continue to be a reality until early next week.

Gardening Can Wait

Fall is a busy time for gardeners, almost as busy as spring.It's still about four to six weeks until bulb planting time in the deep south. I know now is the time for fall gardening in the northern states so I had planned to kick this blog into high gear starting today. Considering the present situation I have decided to put that off for a bit.

I'll begin writing about daffodils again soon even though I understand many of you won't be able to garden or spend time on the computer for a while. If you haven't already subscribed to the All About Daffodils Blog by RSS reader or email you might want to do that now so you can read my posts whenever you have the time.

Instead of the article I had planned for today I thought it would be better to just ask for your thoughts and prayers as we continue to deal with the floods and their aftermath.

Daffodil Season Has Arrived

2009-09-10T04:18:00.005-05:00

Here's proof the the daffodil season really lasts all year long. Here in the Northern Hemisphere autumn is the time to begin planting our daffodils and other spring blooming bulbs but in the Southern Hemisphere the daffodils are beginning to bloom now. Check out these pictures of early spring daffodils in Australia and New Zealand if you need some motivation to prepare your ground and plant plenty of bulbs this fall:

Daffodil Display Near Blacktown AU

Christchurch Daily Photo-Daffodils

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August In The Daffodil Garden

2009-08-11T04:08:00.005-05:00

August in the daffodil garden may not be an active period of growth or blooming but there are some things you can do now to prepare for next year's narcissus blooms.

The heat of the summer may not be the ideal time for transplanting daffodils but if you take care you can safely do it now. If you simply want to divide your bulbs or just move them from one place to another it's really not too complicated.

First,decide where you want to plant your bulbs. Prepare your planting area. If you only have a few bulbs you can dig individual holes with a spade or auger. For a large planting I like to dig one large trench for all the bulbs. Six to eight inches is the ideal depth to plant daffodil bulbs. Remember that you want to choose a spot with good drainage that will be in full sun in the spring.

Next dig your bulbs from their present spot.(Hopefully you marked that spot so you won't damage them when you plunge your spade into the soil.)If your daffodils are crowded you'll want to pull the clumps apart. Try not to remove too much of the soil from the roots. Small bulblets can remain attached to the parent bulb since they won't bloom for a couple of years.

Next you want to plant the bulbs in their new home. Just arrange them the way you want them leaving about six inches between bulbs so you won't have to divide again for several years.

Make sure you plant them at least as deep as they were planted before. Do not water or fertilize the bulbs because you don't want to wake them up now. I should have mentioned that it's best to do this on a dry day.

That's pretty much all you have to do to transplant daffodils from one spot to another.

August Is The Best Time To Order Daffodil Bulbs

If you live in the north it's only a little over a month until autumn bulb planting time. So if you want to plant on time August is the time to order daffodil bulbs.

Even if you live in the south where you have two to three months before bulb planting time you will have the best selection if you order now.

Next time I'll talk about how to get ready for the fall bulb planting season and show you some of the great daffodil varieties you can plant this year.

9" L x 1.75" Dia. Roto Digger Bulb and Plant Auger

Daffodil Leaves: Should They Be Cut,Tied Or Braided?

2009-07-02T05:03:00.011-05:00

The subject of daffodil leaves and whether they should be cut,tied, braided or left alone is always one of the most hotly debated narcissus topics among gardeners. It's hard to believe but this time of year I always see a lot of articles and forum posts from supposedly experienced gardeners who advise that you should tie or braid daffodil foliage after it flops over. Don't do it if you want to see daffodil flowers next year!

I saw a blog post just yesterday from the UK that advised gardeners that we can cut the leaves exactly 6 weeks after blooming if they've fallen over,even if they are still green. According to this writer that's all the time narcissus leaves need to grow and help the bulb store energy for the following season. Where did this gem of wisdom come from? Why is six weeks the magic time frame? This might be a good strategy to get rid of a daffodil that you don't like but if you want blooms next year don't cut those leaves.

If You Enjoy Blind Daffodils Be Sure To Tie The Leaves With A Rubber Band

In an earlier post I gave you some of the most common reasons for daffodils growing blind and gave you some remedies for the situation. The one big cause that I didn't mention was cutting or tying the foliage. Some people just can't stand it when those leaves flop over.

Daffodil leaves need to remain attached to the bulb until they are withered and no green remains. Even after the annual "flop-over" the foliage continues to absorb sunlight and nutrients. If you tie or braid the foliage that can't happen. If you cut the leaves off you may well kill your bulbs. Unlike deadheading which isn't essential to the success of your daffodils,leaving those leaves alone is crucial.

No,daffodil leaves that have fallen over are not attractive. But close your eyes if you have to and resist the urge to cut or alter them. If someone else cuts your lawn and you have daffodils planted close to the grass line instruct your mower to leave the leaves alone.

Also it's not a good idea to plant most spring bulbs right in your lawn. Crocuses and snowdrops are usually finished before warm season grasses break their dormancy but daffodils,dutch iris and perennial tulips should be left alone until the foliage withers.

*If it's too late and the damage has already been done,don't panic. Most of the bulbs will probably survive but don't expect many blooms next year. You might want to plant some extra bulbs as insurance just in case your daffodils don't return at all.

The Dark Side Of Daffodils

So,the bottom line is don't cut your daffodil leaves. That one or two months after blooming could be called the "ugly time" in the daffodil garden. This period doesn't last very long and for those of us who love daffodil flowers it's a small price to pay.

Deadheading Daffodil Flowers:Is It Necessary?

2009-06-18T22:27:00.002-05:00

Deadheading Daffodil Flowers Will Help Your Bulbs Produce More Flowers Year After Year

When your daffodil flowers have finished blooming it may seem like too much bother to deadhead hundreds of spent flowers. When flowers are permitted to go to seed the plant puts all of its energy into ripening the seed at the expense of root and leaf growth. Sometimes this is desirable if you want the flowers to reseed themselves. But in the case of daffodils and other flowering bulbs letting the flowers form seed will cause you to have fewer flowers in coming years.

After your daffodils bloom the bulbs will spend another 6-8 weeks maturing their leaves and enlarging the roots to ensure more blooms for the following spring. Deadheading,or removing the spent flowers before seed pods form, will allow the bulb to enlarge and produce offshoots called bulblets that will mature in two to three years. If you were to let the flower reseed it would take 5-7 years to see flowers from those seeds.

Naturalized Plantings Of Daffodils Probably Don't Need To Be Deadheaded

If you have a large planting of daffodils in a naturalized setting it's probably not as important to deadhead the flowers as it would be in a formal garden bed. If you'd rather not deadhead the daffodil flowers in this type of planting it's okay to skip it. Just be aware that the bulbs may only bloom well every couple of years.

If you do let your bulbs go to seed you will probably eventually see some natural hybrids that don't look exactly like the flowers you originally planted. Some of these may be appealing and some will have the worst qualities of their parents. If you have a sense of adventure this may appeal to you.

Most narcissus varieties will cross pollinate but jonquilla and tazetta types in particular have already been so heavily hybridized that any seed they produce is likely to be sterile. For that reason I don't recommend letting those types of daffodils form seed. It will just take energy away from leaf and root development and your bulbs will probably never bloom very well.

If you don't see a seed pod forming like the one in the picture your bulb is definitely sterile and you don't need to worry about deadheading the flowers.

Two Easy Methods For Deadheading Daffodil Flowers

There are two easy methods of deadheading daffodil flowers. The first is to cut or pinch the entire flower stem at ground just the same as you would if you were harvesting a fresh flower stem. Make sure to avoid disturbing the leaves. The second is to pinch off the flower head below the seed pod.

The best way to avoid having to deadhead hundreds of spent daffodil flowers from a large area is to cut plenty of the flowers when they are at their peak. That way you can enjoy fresh daffodil bouquets in your home during the often cold and gray days when daffodils are in bloom. This will help you enjoy your flowers more while eliminating a tedious spring garden chore.

*The above photo is another of the shots I took of my neighbor's daffodils in April.He doesn't live here full time and I don't think he's even aware of the lovely yellow trumpet daffodils growing in his yard. Yes,I did deadhead the flowers as soon as I took the picture.

What Causes Daffodil Flower Blasting?

2009-05-22T03:00:00.009-05:00

Daffodil flowers,especially the double forms,are susceptible to a problem called blasting. The picture above illustrates this problem. Blasting in daffodils refers to a deformed flower bud that basically withers on the stem instead of developing normally. Sometimes the flower bud will open but will look dry and papery. Late blooming narcissus types are most commonly prone to blasting.

When you first see a blasted daffodil flower you may think that the bulb is diseased but the cause is usually related to weather or culture. Tulip,crocus and Dutch iris flowers can also suffer from blasting.

Daffodil blasting can be caused by planting bulbs too late or storing them at high temperatures. If you planted your bulbs a little too late and the flowers didn't develop or ended up deformed,they will probably do fine in years to come.

Daffodil Flower Blast Is Most Often Caused By Weather

The most common cause of narcissus blasting is weather. Late frosts or early hot temperatures can be to blame as well as a dry spell followed by a rainy period(or vice versa).If the weather is dry make sure to water your daffodils during their growing season.Since most double flowered daffodils are late blooming,if the weather turns hot early in your area large flowered double daffodils such as Golden Ducat for example, should be avoided.

Late Blooming Double Daffodil Flowers Are Most Vulnerable To Blasting

Even though large double daffodils can be risky in warm spring areas the double tazetta types such as Sir Winston Churchill,are resistant. Cheerfulness,a tazetta and poeticus cross, is a small flowered double that does well in my Zone 7 garden but I have read that it consistently blasts from Zone 8 southward. For the coastal south stick with single flowered jonquilla and tazetta daffodils for late season blooming.

Blasting is not as much of an issue in northern gardens although it can happen in a warm dry spring or after a late freeze. Very late blooming poeticus daffodils are usually great for Zones 3-6 and rarely exhibit blasting. Most large flowered doubles will do well in northern springs but may need to be staked to keep the heavy flowers from falling over after spring rains.

Although the narcissus jonquilla is a late bloomer that rarely suffers from blasting the blasted bud in my picture is a jonquil. This flower was ruined by a week of flooding rains.When the problem is weather related it can happen to any daffodil flower. Only the flower in the picture was affected. The later blooms of those jonquil bulbs were fine.

These Tips Will Help You Avoid Daffodil Flower Blasting

You can't do anything about the weather but to avoid blasting in your late season daffodils remember these tips:
*Plant early.
*Water during dry periods.
*Choose the best daffodil types for your climate.
*Avoid large flowered double daffodils in the south.

The daffodil blooming season is just about over in most of North America. My next few posts will concentrate on what to do after the flowers are gone.