Plant Daffodils Now to Dazzle the Spring Landscape

There is little umbrella turned inside out by a else you can strong wind. do in your landscape that requires so little February Gold is bright yellow. time, is easy to do, and pays off The orange cup of Jetfire is held in huge dividends, as planting above yellow petals. Jack Snipe bulbs. They fit in every garden no shows off his yellow cup matter the style. They can be surrounded by white petals a little planted in large informal drifts, later, in mid spring. formal patterns, or just tucked planted, use the ‘ two to three amongst existing shrubs and times ’ rule. Generally, bulbs Cyclamineus daffodils may look perennials. should be planted two to three delicate, but they are extremely times as deep as the bulbs are durable. Plant them closely And while tulips offer the broad- tall. In heavy clay soils, add lots together for the best show. est range of flower colors, no of organic matter and plant them landscape should be without toward the shallower end of that Double Daffodils daffodils! They reliably return rule. The centers of the double daffodil year and year. They are family are packed full of petals. unappealing to deer and other Add a little fertilizer when planting Some have more than one blos- backyard critters. And daffodils and again in late spring just som per stem. Many are fragrant. brighten the spring landscape in before the flowers start to die shades of yellow, orange, back to provide nourishment as Dick Wilden is a magnificent salmon, pink and white. the bulb prepares for its next sunny yellow example. Ice King round of blooming. has creamy white petals that Plant daffodils in full sun or part provide the backdrop for its fluffy shade under deciduous trees Here are just a few of the many yellow center. Both of these where plants will receive full sun different types of daffodils avail- varieties bloom in early spring. before trees leaf out in spring. able at your local garden center. Daffodils also require well- White Medal deserves a medal! drained soil; those planted in Cyclamineus Daffodils Looking more like a gardenia damp soil may rot. Daffodils in the Cyclamineus than a daffodil, it brings elegance group are among the first to the mid to late spring garden. Ideally, daffodils should be daffodils to bloom in the spring. planted in early fall so bulbs have They can tolerate more shade Double daffodils grow on strong, time to grow roots before the and moister soils more than most straight stems – ready to stand ground freezes. To determine the other groups. Their flower petals up to spring storms and perfect proper depth bulbs should be are swept back resembling an for indoor bouquets. Jonquilla Daffodils Or choose Scarlet O ’ H ara. I white petals and a deep orange Members of the jonquilla group declare! Her reddish-orange cup center. are among the most fragrant of is surrounded by golden-yellow all daffodils. Although the flowers petals. She will brighten your Trumpet Daffodils are small, there are two to six early to mid spring garden. Daffodils in the Trumpet group flowers per stem. Not convinced have the traditional daffodil form. yet? These daffodils also multiply Small Cupped Daffodils Dutch Master is a perennial quickly. Aptly named, the cups of these favorite - its golden flowers grace daffodils are small and shallow. many of our gardens. The creamy white petals of Bell This group features the broadest Song show off its soft yellow cup range of colors – varieties can This year, add Mount Hood. It blushed with pink in late spring. be white, yellow, chartreuse, delightfully opens pale yellow, but Quail brightens mid spring with its salmon, orange, and orange-red. quickly turns all white. Or let deep golden yellow blooms. Pipit Spellbinder enchant you. This blooms in very late spring with The brilliant orange cup of Barrett beauty begins lemon yellow, but blossoms of white cups and Browning pops from his white matures to yellow with a hint of yellow petals. petals. Verona will steal the show chartreuse. in any garden. Its pure white Large Cupped Daffodils flowers will brighten up the So, while I would encourage you As the name implies, large dreariest late spring day. to plant tulips ( and crocus, cupped daffodils have, well… grape hyacinths, Siberian squill, larger than normal cups. Carlton Split Corona Daffodils and others ) , get to your local is one of the most popular The flowers in this group are garden center, choose your varieties. Its flowers are two- unusual. The cup is literally split favorite daffodils, and plant them toned - soft yellow petals creating an open, upward facing today! surround a bright yellow cup – bloom. Split Corona daffodils and are vanilla scented. bloom in mid spring.

Be smart and plant Professor Cassata is a lovely mix of lemon Einstein. His pure white petals yellow and white. Orangery is a are the perfect backdrop for his combination of white and vivid orange center. The tangerine. Parisiene is a Professor blooms in mid spring. gorgeous bicolor daffodil with