The Daffodil, also known as Narcissus, are true spring bloomers that paint entire fields yellow in the early spring. They are commonly referred to as Easter flowers. There are other flowers that share the name Easter flower, such as primroses and daisies.
Daffodils
The daffodil flower is characterized by its trumpet-shaped blooms, often in shades of yellow. However, you can also find white, orange, pink, and multicolored varieties, as well as double-flowered types. There are approximately 35 different species of daffodils, with thousands of variations. The wild daffodil is the only species native to the Netherlands and Belgium.
Planting Daffodils
If you want to enjoy daffodils in the spring, you should plant them in the fall. Daffodils are bulbous plants, and most bulbs that bloom in spring are planted in the autumn.
Daffodils can remain in the same spot for years and naturalize, producing more daffodils over time. They prefer a sunny location. Prepare the planting area by loosening the soil. Plant the bulb at a depth that is twice the size of the bulb. For example, if a bulb has a diameter of 5 centimeters, plant it at a depth of 10 centimeters. Adjust the planting hole depth accordingly based on the size of the bulb. Place the bulb with the pointy end facing up and cover it with soil. If the soil is dry, give the newly planted bulbs a little water. If the soil is already moist, watering is not necessary.
Caring for Daffodil Bulbs
Bulbs need nutrients to grow and bloom the following year. They obtain these nutrients from the soil, air, and water through their foliage. Therefore, it’s important to leave the foliage on the bulb for some time. You can remove the faded flowers, but leave the foliage until it turns completely yellow. Both the bulb and the foliage of the daffodil contain a toxic substance. If daffodils are growing in a meadow, grazing animals will avoid them.
Deadheading Daffodils
Daffodils planted in your garden will wither after some time. You can remove the faded flowers. However, leave the foliage intact until it turns completely yellow before cutting it back. If you have daffodils in pots indoors, you can plant them in your garden after they have finished blooming. Remove the flowers and place the pot with the foliage in an inconspicuous location. Once the foliage turns yellow, you can trim it back. You can plant the bulbs from the pot directly into the ground, either immediately or in the fall. This way, you can enjoy your bulbs for a long time.
Displaying Daffodils in a Vase
If you want to arrange daffodils in a vase, cut the stems at an angle at the base of the flowers. This is because some slimy substance may come out of the stem, which can cause irritation. It’s best to wear gloves while handling daffodils. Place the daffodils in a vase with clean water. If you want to combine them with other types of flowers, keep the daffodils separate initially, as the slimy substance they release can affect the longevity of other flowers.
Types of Daffodils
There are many varieties within all types of daffodils. When you delve into the world of daffodils, you’ll notice that there are so many varieties that it’s difficult to make a choice. That’s why I’ve listed some cool varieties for you.
Trumpet Daffodils
The recognizable form that daffodils are known for is the trumpet daffodil. Its Latin name is Narcissus pseudonarcissus. This type blooms in March, April, and May, just like all daffodils. It’s an easy-to-care-for variety. Most trumpet daffodils are yellow, but there are also varieties with white, pink, or orange petals. Some examples of color combinations are ‘Bravour’ with a yellow trumpet and white petals, and ‘Fortissimo’ with an orange trumpet and yellow petals. The ‘Easter Bonnet’ is a variety with a pink trumpet and creamy white petals.
Small Daffodils
A beautiful yellow variety is Narcissus Angel’s Breath. This delicate daffodil is a strong variety. It thrives in a sunny or partially shaded spot. The flowers are entirely yellow and reach a height of about 15 centimeters. Angel’s Breath blooms in April and May.
Narcissus Jack Sparrow is a relatively new small variety. It has a yellow center and white petals. It grows to a height of 20 to 30 centimeters and prefers a spot in partial shade or sun.
Large Daffodils
Daffodils come in different sizes. The small ones are between 10 and 30 centimeters tall when in bloom, while large varieties can range in height from 30 to 55 centimeters. Narcissus Cassata is a beautiful variety with a light yellow color. It blooms in March and April and reaches a height of 35 centimeters.
Narcissus Pink Charm is a white variety with a pink coronal cup. It grows to a height of 45 centimeters when in bloom.
Narcissus Recurvus is a special daffodil, also known as the poeticus daffodil. It is white with a yellow center and a striking red rim. It reaches a height of 40 centimeters when in bloom, and it blooms in April and May.
Double Daffodils
A unique creamy-white variant among the double-flowered daffodils is the Erlicheer.
In addition to its beautiful appearance from May to August, it also emits a delightful fragrance in your garden. It reaches a height of 40 centimeters when in bloom. Plant these bulbs slightly deeper (3 bulbs deep) and with a slightly wider spacing (3 bulbs apart) to allow the flowers room to bloom.
Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’ is also a white variety with a light yellow flower center. This cluster daffodil releases a sweet fragrance and grows to about 35 centimeters tall. It’s a good choice for indoor use, in pots on your terrace, or simply in the ground. It blooms in March and April.
A unique yellow double-flowered narcissus is the Narcissus Rip van Winkle. The star-shaped flowers remain beautiful in bloom for about 4 weeks. It is a low-growing variety, reaching a height of approximately 20 centimeters, and blooms at the end of March or early April.
Special Daffodils
Narcissus White Petticoat is a special variety I found online. It is a small daffodil also known as the hoop petticoat daffodil due to the round shape of its flower. It is white with a yellow center and reaches a height of about 15 centimeters when in bloom. Most bulbs of this variety are available later in the year due to planting and flowering periods.
Narcissus ‘Pink Trumpet’ is also a remarkable variety. It blooms from March to April and reaches a height of approximately 40 centimeters. The color of its petals is particularly striking, almost lilac-like pink.
Wild Daffodils
Narcissus pseudonarcissus, wild daffodils, are found in meadows, forests, and rocky areas. In the Netherlands, this species is on the red list, indicating that it is extremely rare. The blooming height ranges from 15 to 30 centimeters. The petals are light yellow, and the corona is deep yellow and trumpet-shaped. They bloom in March, April, and May.
White Daffodils
White daffodils can be found among small daffodils, large daffodils, and multi-flowering daffodils. One beautiful white variety is Narcissus Thalia, which blooms in April and May. They are suitable for pots or containers on your terrace or balcony and also naturalize well. The height when in bloom is about 40 centimeters.
Narcissus Cutlass is an elegant white variety. This glossy white daffodil is virtually spotless. It reaches a height of 40 to 50 centimeters when in bloom. Its flowering period is at the end of April and the beginning of May.
Narcissus ‘Tête-à-Tête’
One of the most common and widely used daffodil varieties due to its long blooming period and low maintenance requirements is ‘Tête-à-Tête.’ It naturalizes easily but can also be planted in pots or flower arrangements. It blooms early, from late February to March. The height of this lovely flower is about 15 centimeters.
