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5 Daffodil Planting Tips

Narcissus, Spring Bulbs

How to plant spring bulbs, how to plant daffodils, daffodil planting tips, Spring Bulbs, Garden Ideas, Gardening ideas
daffodil, grape hyacinth, tulip, spring garden

Daffodils can be used for almost any purpose and are even more versatile in the garden than tulips and hyacinths. The only use for which hyacinths and certain groups of tulips surpass narcissi is bedding.

  • The great advantage of using daffodils is that they actually behave as perennial plants in the garden. This, plus the fact that they flower early in the season, means that they are indispensable in the perennial border. Borders that include perennial plants chosen to achieve a summer explosion of color will especially benefit from the early-flowering bulbous and cormous plants – and the daffodils are definitely the most conspicuous representatives of this group!
  • They can play a solo role when planted among perennial plants that have not emerged or are just starting to do so. Later, the foliage of these perennials will nicely cover the withering foliage of the narcissi. Narcissi can also be combined beautifully with early-flowering perennial plants such as Euphorbia polychroma, Beronia, Primula, Pulmonaria, Pulsatilla, Alchemilla mollis, Brunnera macrophylla, and late-flowering species of Helleborus.

How to plant spring bulbs, how to plant daffodils, daffodil planting tips, Spring Bulbs, Garden Ideas, Gardening ideas

Narcissus Thalia, Tulips ‘White Triumphator’, ‘Parade’, and ‘Holland Chic’ interplanted with Brunerra Macrophylla

  • Another good use for them is under shrubs and trees with diaphanous crowns. Here, we can profit from the fact that narcissi can tolerate a certain amount of shade. Lovely combinations can be realized by planting narcissi with shrubs that flower simultaneously (approximately March-April).
  • There are many to pick from: Amelanchier lamarckii, Daphne mezereum, Corylopsis pauciflora, Magnolia stellata, Rhododendron ‘Praecox’, Mahonia aquifolium, Spiraea thunbergii, Skimmia japonica, and Prunus triloba ‘Plena’. Plenty of arguments also exist about planting narcissi in the neighborhood of somber-looking evergreen shrubs and conifers. Here, their bright yellow and white colors will provide a cheery contrast.

Narcissus, Daffodils, Daffodil Border, Daffodil as ground cover, How to plant spring bulbs, how to plant daffodils, daffodil planting tips, Spring Bulbs, Garden Ideas, Gardening ideas

  • Narcissi are also useful for planting among ground covers such as Vinca minor, Pachysandra terminalis, Lamiastrum galeobdolon, and even Hedera helix. Naturalizing is one of the things daffodils do best, so they are perfect for planting among perennial plants, under shrubs, and between ground covers. They can also be used this way in the lawn if measures are taken to avoid mowing their foliage before it withers. This will mean that the first mowing of the year will have to wait for six weeks after the narcissi have faded, or that mowing will have to be done between the narcissi plants.
  • For naturalizing, some narcissi are better than others.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Narcissus

Recommended daffodil varieties for naturalizing

Narcissus ‘Actaea’ (Poeticus Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Carlton’ (Large-Cupped Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Dutch Master’ (Trumpet Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘February Gold’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Jack Snipe’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Jetfire’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Peeping Tom’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)
Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)

★ Narcissi are increasingly being used in pots. Naturally, these varieties will be ones that have a small foliage mass and short stems. The highly versatile Narcissus ‘Tête à Tête‘ is one of these, but others include ‘Jack Snipe‘, ‘Hawera‘, ‘Pipit‘, ‘Ice Follies‘ or ‘Carlton‘, not to forget the ‘midi-narcissi’. These midi-narcissi have large flowers on relatively short, sturdy stems. They also come into bud early, meaning that they have highly visible flower stems at the time when leaf development is still just starting. A few worth mentioning are: ‘Beau Geste’, ‘Pistachio’, ‘Camelot’, Gold Medal’, ‘Modern Art’ and ‘Hokus’.

tete a tete daffodil, narcissus tete a tete, daffodils, spring container

Narcissus ‘Erlicheer’,Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’

You may want to review these useful guides

Brighten Up Your Garden From January Through May with Colorful Flower Bulbs
Great Daffodils for Southern Gardens
Great Daffodils that Come Back Every Year
Lasagne Planting Method
Most Fragrant Daffodils
Planting Daffodils In Pots And Containers
Daffodil Types
Paperwhite Narcissus (Daffodil)

Garden Examples

Colorful Border Idea for Your Early-Mid Spring Garden
A Fabulous Border Idea for Your Mid-Late Spring Garden
Compare All Narcissus (Daffodil)
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Narcissus (Daffodil)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Bulbs
Genus Narcissus
Compare All Narcissus (Daffodil)
Compare Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Narcissus (Daffodil)

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