Elegant and graceful, Cyclamineus or Miniature Daffodils feature small flowers, one per stem, with slightly to strongly swept-back petals and straight-sided trumpets. Sometimes, they resemble cyclamen, therefore the name of their group. Among the first hybrid daffodils to bloom, they can be admired from early to mid-spring and sometimes later in the season, depending on cultivars and weather conditions.

Reminiscent of a hoop petticoat caught in the wind in early to mid-spring, Narcissus bulbocodium is by far the most widespread of the hoop petticoat daffodils. The main characteristic of this charming daffodil is short, very narrow petals and huge, flaring, funnel-shaped cups. Low-growing, it blooms prolifically, 3-5 blossoms per bulb, over a long season. Its attractive foliage of dark green leaves, resembling clumps of chives, is almost evergreen.

Trumpet Daffodils (Narcissus) are quite traditional-looking with their large flowers, one bloom per stem, and their long trumpets (just as long or longer than the length of the perianth segments). This group offers a wide variety of colors (white, yellow, and dramatic color combinations) and shapes (wide, narrow, or flared trumpets). Blooming in early to mid-spring, they can be grown in any garden setting, sun or shade, or in the grass. Plant the smaller ones in rock gardens and the taller ones in drifts or dotted under trees where they will draw everyone's attention.

Incredibly romantic and beautiful, Double Daffodils resemble peonies or carnations more than classic daffodils with their packed rows of petals and all their frills. This group includes either daffodils with a doubled trumpet or daffodils with a double row of petals or even both. Many cultivars are sweetly fragrant. They usually bear one flower per stem, but occasionally may have more. Flower colors range from yellow, white to peach, pink or red and these lovely blossoms are usually expected in mid to late spring. Double Daffodils work especially well under flowering trees and shrubs.

Loved since the 17th century, Jonquil Daffodils produce small flowers, 3 or more per stem, with short, wide petals held at right angles to cups. The cup of these daffodils is not that large: usually half the length of the petals. Strongly fragrant, their foliage is often rush-like. Blooming in mid-late spring, they are excellent for naturalizing and prefer sunny locations, warm soils, and humid conditions. Their heady fragrance has seduced many generations of gardeners.

The Large-Cupped Narcissus group is one of the most popular groups of daffodils. Why? Several reasons account for their popularity. First, they offer a wide range of colors (white, yellow, pink, peach, or red) and cup shapes: flat, ruffled, or trumpet-like. Adding unique charm and symmetry to the garden or containers, they typically produce large flowers, one bloom per stem, in mid-spring. Importantly, they are good for naturalizing and are reliably perennial, multiplying year after year.

Small-Cupped Daffodils (Narcissus) produce medium-sized flowers, one bloom per stem, characterized by a small cup or corona: not more than one-third the length of the petals. Mid-season bloomers, this group includes many attractive, bi-colored cultivars, adorned with perfectly formed, white, and pale petals, and usually strongly colored cups.

The Tazetta Narcissus group includes very short cupped, sweetly fragrant, mid-sized daffodils bearing multiple flowers, up to 3-20 per sturdy stem. Many are not hardy to the more northern climates, but are terrific performers in USDA Zones 5-9. Excellent for forcing (this division includes the world-famous but tender paperwhites), they also naturalize readily in wet-winter, dry-summer climates. Suitable as garden plants or for cutting, most bloom in mid-late spring.

Triandrus Daffodils (Narcissus), sometimes called 'Angels' Tears', produce up to 2-3 small to medium-sized flowers per stem in mid to late spring. Their distinguishing feature is that the perianth petals flare back and away from the bell-shaped cup so that the cup is more conspicuous. The delicate-looking flowers, white or yellow, are always angled downward. Usually strongly fragrant, these low-growing little daffodils have a definite preference for somewhat damp habitats. They are also frequently used in rock gardens.

Trumpet Daffodils (Narcissus) are quite traditional-looking with their large flowers, one bloom per stem, and their long trumpets (just as long or longer than the length of the perianth segments). This group offers a wide variety of colors (white, yellow, and dramatic color combinations) and shapes (wide, narrow, or flared trumpets). Blooming in early to mid-spring, they can be grown in any garden setting, sun or shade, or in the grass. Plant the smaller ones in rock gardens and the taller ones in drifts or dotted under trees where they will draw everyone's attention.

Large and powerfully fragrant, Narcissus poeticus and its hybrids produce elegant and simply beautiful flowers, adorned with glistening white petals, very small red-rimmed yellow cups, and green eyes. Blooming in late spring, usually one flower per stem, these daffodils thrive in damp soil and look wonderful naturalized in tall grasses or next to a few deciduous trees.

A sampling of top-performing bulbs that can be counted upon to perennialize -- and, if happy where you plant them, will most likely naturalize, too, to come back to bloom for years.

Even more versatile in the garden than tulips or hyacinths, daffodils can be used for almost any purpose. The great advantage to 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!

Narcissus (Daffodils) are among the easiest bulbs to grow and are regarded as some of the most valuable spring bulbs for the South. Long-lived, they naturalize and multiply year after year. Versatile, they offer a fascinating array of flower forms, sizes, and colors.

Naturalizing bulbs is a terrific way to brighten up lawns, prairies or meadows in spring. They also make gardening easy. Once planted, there is nothing left to do: these bulbs can stay right where they are and produce flowers year after year. What could be better?

If you look for more than a beautiful drift of creamy or golden flowers and wish to add another terrific dimension to your spring garden, plant fragrant Narcissus cultivars. While many daffodil bulbs are fragrant, most do not have a perfume powerful enough to enjoy unless you stick your nose directly into the bulb.

In 4 easy steps! In the first place, you should choose varieties that remain short and do not produce a foliage mass that is too large. The highly versatile Narcissus 'Tête à Tête' is one of these, but others include 'Jack Snipe', 'Hawera', 'Pipit', 'Ice Follies' or 'Carlton'.

Daffodils join tulips, hyacinths and crocuses to make up the most important of the spring-flowering plants. They are used in abundance in gardens for many reasons.

Consider this: spring is really three seasons - early, mid and late. You will want to think about this when choosing what to plant each fall. Why?

The easiest and most rewarding bulbs you can grow, Paperwhites are amazingly fragrant daffodils that are not winter-hardy but are perfect for producing flowers in a short period of time when grown indoors. In warm climates (zones 8-11) with hot, dry summers, Paperwhite bulbs can be planted outside where they will bloom annually for many years.