Daffodils

Narcissus (nar-SIS-us)

Family: Amaryllidaceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Daffodils are fast-growing, perennial, deciduous bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family. Their native range is northern Africa, Europe, Afghanistan, China, and Japan. With an erect, clumping habit, plants will be 8 to 30 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide. The genus Narcissus is named for a beautiful youth who became so entranced with his own reflection that he pined away, and the gods turned him into this flower. Daffodils require full sun to partial shade and acidic soil. The flowers follow the sun so consider this when planting. While drought tolerant, the plants require moisture and good drainage during the growing season. The best time to plant the bulbs is in the fall. Plant in groups of at least six sweeping masses, and they can be mixed with all varieties of other spring-flowering bulbs. You will be able to plant 10 to 12 bulbs per square foot when planting them 2 to 3 inches apart. Plant the bulbs 8 inches deep. After the flowers have bloomed, the top portion of each flower stem may be removed as practicable to prevent seed formation, but foliage should not be cut back until it begins to yellow. Bulbs can be left undisturbed for a number of years. If bloom quality and quantity decline over time, clumps can be divided by digging just after the foliage dies back. The Narcissus genus has 13 divisions or shows or cultivar groups. Division I - Trumpet Narcissus Division II - Large-cupped Narcissus Division III - Small-cupped Narcissus Division IV - Double Narcissus Division V - Triandrus Narcissus Division VI - Cyclamineus Narcissus Division VII - Jonquilla Narcissus Division VIII - Tazetta Narcissus Division IX - Poeticus Narcissus Division X - Bulbocodium hybrids Division XI - Split Corona Narcissus Division XII - Miscellaneous Narcissus Division XIII - Species, Wild Variants and Wild hybrids Daffodils are great for use in beds, borders, rock gardens, as fresh cut flowers, ground covers, and in woodland gardens. They are deer, rabbit, and salt resistant. The fragrant flowers bloom for two to three weeks between late winter and late spring. Some varieties can be forced to bloom indoors in the winter and are offered as florist plants. Quick ID Hints: Geophyte with flat or reed-like leaves Flowers with six-parted perianth and projecting corona Insects Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insects or diseases. Bulb rot may occur in wet soils. Watch for bulb mites and slugs and snails. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for " Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 63 attributes.