Daffodil
by CMG Kathleen S.
Petit Four Daffodil from theSpruce.com
William Wordsworth wrote in “I wandered Lonely as a Cloud”: When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Daffodils are a beautiful gift for enduring the winter months. Their bright yellow and vivid white blooms are a welcome change from the gray of winter. Also known as Jonquils or Buttercups, the names are sometimes used interchangeably. But, as one source wrote, “All jonquils are daffodils but not all daffodils are jonquils”. Regardless, these bulbs are from the genus Narcissus; family Amaryllisdoceae.
The Daffodil was first documented by the Greek botanist Theophrastus in his writings: “Inquiry into Plants”. Roman soldiers took the bulbs into England believing they were medicinal. Unfortunately, daffodils are very toxic to humans and pets. Deer do not eat them.
Narcissus jonquilla is native to Spain and Portugal. Their name “Jonquil” is from the Spanish word junquillo which means “little reed”, a reference to the reed shaped leaves. They have been cultivated since the 17th century.
The derivation of the name daffodil is not entirely clear. There are connections to the Medieval Latin affodillus, the Latin asphodelus, and the Greek asphodelos. All refer to plants or flowers and create the name asphodels, a similar looking plant in the Asphodelaceae family. A plausible explanation is that it derives from the Dutch word “de affodil” which means “the asphodel”. No matter where it got its name the daffodil is a welcomed harbinger of spring wherever it grows.
Daffodils are sun loving plants requiring 6 hours of sunlight every day. They prefer well drained soil that is slightly acidic. Be selective when choosing bulbs. Healthy bulbs will have a paper like covering and will be large and firm. Discard any with black spots. Purchase bulbs during September through October for the best selection. Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart and 3 to 6 inches deep from October through November. More information can be found here.
Daffodils are very easy to grow and do not need fertilizer, special irrigation or pesticides. They prefer mild winters and hot, dry summers. Daffodils spread over time and will naturalize. Divide them every 4 years.
The Smith County Master Gardeners (Tyler, Texas) maintain test gardens of daffodils and scavenge local residences and abandoned homesteads for heirloom bulbs. Many of these bulbs have the Earth-kind® designation. Their “Bulbs to Blooms” conference is held every fall as an educational program and daffodil bulb sale. The bulbs sell very quickly at the sale. Bulbs from other locales may also be offered.
Sir Winston Churchill Daffodil from EasyToGrowBulbs.com
There are early, midseason and late blooming Daffodils. If you pay attention to the various bloom times you can have Daffodils in bloom from the beginning of spring to the start of summer. When planting daffodils group them in 3’s for a good presentation. They are amazing in mass plantings and stunning on hillsides.
King Alfred Daffodil from Pinterest.com
King Alfred is a popular variety with its bright yellow color and “trumpet” shaped bloom. Daffodils are available in colors of pink, white, peach and red. As Daffodils die back, their leaves will turn yellow. Do not cut off the leaves until they completely die back. Intersperse Daffodils with daylilies, foxglove, coral bells and gerbera daisies. Placing them in front of evergreen shrubs is also an option. The shrubs will provide protection against strong winds.
Barrett Browning Daffodil from BrentandBeckysBulbs.com
For more information contact the American Daffodil Society at daffodilusa.org Check out YouTube videos of the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands to see daffodils and so much more.
Wikipedia; Buckeye Yard and Garden on-Line (BYGL.osu.edu); Smith.Agrilife.org; Gary Gardner, Vice President, Smith County Master Gardeners 2024; DavesGarden.com; HousePlantCentral.com; TheSpruce.com; GardenDesign.com; DutchDaffodils.com