A Host of Golden Daffodils

Fall Planting Guide

Japanese maples and dogwoods are some of the most colorful trees in the fall. Plant them now to give them a head start on spring.

Fragrant hyacinths make a colorful display in garden beds or pots. They come in red, pink, blue, and white and can be planted now.

Naked lady amaryllis produce lovely, fragrant pink flowers in late summer with little to no care. Plant the bulbs, available at local nurseries, now.

Check houseplants for insects. Spray leaves with insecticidal soap and wipe them clean to keep them insect-free.

Tree collards are delicious winter vegetables. Set out plants now.

Growing Great Daffodils

Daffodils are some of the easiest bulbs to grow. Under good conditions, they will live for many years and may even outlast us. While some bulbs dwindle, daffodils multiply over time.

Daffodil Varieties

• King Alfred – Bright yellow trumpet flowers.
• Dutch Master – A classic yellow trumpet daffodil, introduced in 1938.
• Carlton – A two-tone yellow daffodil with soft yellow petals and a golden yellow cup.
• Ice Follies – Large flowers with creamy white petals and a butter-yellow ruffled cup.
• Salome – Ivory-white petals with a striking salmon trumpet.
• Sempre Avanti – Creamy petals with bold orange cups, blooming early in the season.
• Fortune – Large yellow flowers with soft orange cups, lasting up to four weeks in mid-spring.

Mixed daffodils are excellent for naturalizing and are deer-resistant. Pair them with Chionodoxa (Glory-of-the-snow) for added blue accents in the landscape.

Planting Tips

Choose a well-drained, sunny location—hillsides are ideal for drifts of bulbs. Ensure proper drainage by spading at least twelve inches deep and adding compost to heavy soils.

• For naturalized bulbs left undisturbed, plant them deeply (tops at least eight inches deep).
• Daffodils thrive in the shade of deciduous trees but perform best outside the drip line rather than directly beneath them.
• Avoid planting under evergreen trees and shrubs, as daffodils may not survive long-term.

Daffodils are rodent- and deer-resistant, contributing to their longevity.

Care and Maintenance

• Daffodils bloom for nearly six weeks in spring. After flowering, leave foliage until it yellows to allow bulbs to recharge.
• Fertilize bulbs while leaves are still green.
• If daffodils become crowded and bloom poorly, dig them up in midsummer and replant six inches apart.

Daffodils grow well with shallow-rooted ground covers like potentilla, creeping thyme, and blue star creeper. Avoid vigorous, deep-rooting plants like rosemary and ivy, which may compete with them.

Now is the perfect time to plant daffodil bulbs for a vibrant spring display in your garden and home bouquets.