Botanical Name: Narcissus
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Common Name: Daffodil  
Plant photo of: Narcissus
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Water Saving Tip:

Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb

 

Height Range

Under 1', 1-3'

 

Flower Color

Orange, Pink, Yellow, White

 

Flower Season

Winter, Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Very Low, Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Background, Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom

  • Description

  • Notes

Daffodils are spring flowering bulbs that offer amazing color and bloom at a time when most garden perennials are only just waking up. They are divided into 13 divisions, which refer to the size of the cup or corona, and the perianth (or petals) and their relative sizes to each other. Some are fragrant. Colors are in the whites, yellow, oranges, pink, apricot, and so one, and many with different cup and perianth colors. All are perennial, some naturalize, a few are not cold hardy (the paperwhites come to mind).
Plant in full sun or at least 8 hours worth (after the leaves are on the trees) in well drained, well amended (loamy) soil. They are pest free, and unlike tulips, not tasty to deer. Deadhead to discourage seed formation, but otherwise leave the foliage until it is fully spent and laying on the ground. Plant late emerging grasses or perennials around them to hide the spent foliage. There is no need to dig them up every year, just plant them 3-times as deep as they are wide and let them be. Plant bulbs in the fall and water well at planting. They do well in low-water gardens but are not necessarily xeric, but over-watering may cause them to be short-lived. See Guides for more information.