All About Daffodils

Spring is ‘popping,’ which means it’s Daffodil season! These beautiful flowers are an unmistakable sign of the turning of the season, and they also happen to be one of Brent’s absolute favorite flower families. We often field a lot of the same questions from curious customers who want to make sure their Daffodil garden is as glorious as ever, so we put together this guide of all of our most frequently asked Daffodil questions. 

What Can I Do About Daffodils Coming Up Too Early? 

Daffodils will often get fooled by an unexpected warm spell and, in turn, come up a little earlier than we expect them to. The good news is that these hardy perennials are actually quite used to the cold as they are originally from quite a high altitude. Their foliage can withstand temperatures down to about the teens, but just to be safe, if it dips below 20 degrees, consider covering them with an old sheet overnight. If you forget, it’s not a huge worry, though! Another option to protect your Daffodil bulbs is to rake a few pine needles around the base of them (just not on top of them). 

These beautiful bulbs really were designed to withstand the cold, though, so it will make them stronger, and they actually last a little longer in cool weather. If they happen to be blooming in early spring, feel free to pick them and enjoy them inside! We always pick Daffodils, never cut them, as they won’t be able to retain any water. 

I See Daffodils Now and I Want To Know Why I Can’t Plant Them

When Daffodils are planted in the fall, as the soil begins to cool, it allows them to establish a good root system. Then, once the roots have been established, they aren’t subject to freezing, and they’re able to make it through the winter months. Once the spring comes along, the increase in daylight triggers them to come up to bloom. If you wait to plant them in the spring, the bulbs will have dried out, and they won’t have enough time to establish a strong enough root system to grow and bloom that summer season. 

When you are planting your bulbs in the fall, be sure to plant them in a space that has access to full sun and plant them in fertile but well-draining soil. 

When Can I Cut Daffodil Leaves?

The leaves of a flower act as a solar collector. It is their job to recharge the battery of the plant and to do this, they need exposure to sunlight and water to manufacture starches and sugars. This, in turn, feeds the bulb. They generally need at least eight weeks of access to full sun to finish this task each year. Once you notice the leaves start to turn yellow at the tips, or they begin to fall over, you’re good to cut them off. 

What Can I Do To Make Daffodils More Perennial?

As mentioned above, Daffodils love full sun—this is the most important piece to remember. If they are planted under trees or shrubs, they won’t get the supplies they need from the sun to thrive. So, when you are planting your bulbs in the fall, be sure to plant them in a space that has access to full sun and plant them in fertile but well-draining soil. 

They also like to sleep in a dry bed, so try not to plant them in the path of an irrigation system. If you do have an irrigated flower bed that you’d like to have some Daffodils in, it’s best to companion plant them with ornamental grasses or other perennials that would be happy to use some of the excess moisture available. 

What Is The Difference Between Daffodils, Narcissus, and Jonquils?

This is one we often hear at the nursery! The terms Daffodil and Narcissus are actually synonyms. It’s just that one (Narcissus) is the more official genus name, while ‘Daffodil’ is the nickname! The former is Greek in origin and has to do with an alkaloid in the bulb (which actually makes them critter resistant), and the latter, Daffodil, was given to the plant family in England many moons ago. 

On the other hand, Jonquils are a particular type of Daffodil that originates from southern Spain and France. It is a tiny, extremely fragrant flower. They are a wildflower with narrow, almost round leaves, which produce a clump of about five or so florets per plant. 

Do I Need To Deadhead My Daffodils After They Bloom?

It is not necessary to deadhead Daffodils unless it is for aesthetic reasons because they don’t set seeds on their own. On the other hand, Tulips are visited by pollinators and use quite a bit of energy to set seeds, which means deadheading them will help them produce more flowers as all of that energy gets sent back to the bulb instead. But, this is not the case with Daffodils! They multiply by division, and when they bloom, it triggers a second bulb to form (which we call a ‘daughter’ bulb).

If you missed the boat on Daffodil fall planting last year, worry not! Simply mark your calendars for September 15 and be one of the first to order one of the many varieties available from our fall-planting catalogue. Or, pop by the bulb shop—we often pot up extra bulbs which can be re-planted into your garden. And if you have any new, burning Daffodil questions, we’d be happy to chat!