Ruffly, Fancy, Frilly, and Fragrant Daffodils

Narcissi or Daffodils

Perennial Bulb

Can be grown in containers

Vase Life: 4 - 10 days

In this post, we will talk about

• my favorite daffodils

• how they grow in the garden

• how to harvest and use them a vase

• what to do with them once they are done flowering

My Favorite Daffodils

There are hundreds of different kinds of daffodils. When I was picking out varieties I spent hours and hours trying to decide which ones to get.

They had to be a good cut flower and they need to bloom from early spring to late spring.

In the Garden

Daffodils are some of the easiest flowers to grow. The very best thing about daffodils is that they come back every year. Not only do they come back every year, but they multiply in a bunch every year.

For the best selection, order your bulbs in late summer and plant them as soon as they arrive in the fall.

Where should you plant them?

Pretty much anywhere in your yard or garden as long as it’s free draining and not soggy. Under trees, in the border around the house, in pots or in your garden.

I planted mine along a fence on the edge of my garden. In the Spring, I plant my pea seeds and other vines among them.

Plant your bulbs 4-6 inches deep and a couple inches apart.

In the Vase

No clippers needed!

When your daffodils have budded up, have some coloring, and their neck bends ( called the gooseneck stage), it’s time to harvest the flower. If you wait until they are open they will not last as long in the vase.

I do not cut daffodils but actually pull them from the base of the plant. The stem stretches and then snaps off. Doing this adds a few inches to the stem which makes them perfect as a cut flower.

Daffodils do emit a sap, so you should let them sit in a bucket of water for two to three hours. During that time the stem will callous over and stop oozing. Do not put them in with other flowers until you condition them. The trick with this is to cut them to the length you need before you add them to an arrangement with other fresh flowers, otherwise you will have to condition them again.

I love creating flower arrangements of just daffodils. There are so many sizes, colors and shapes. They can really create a beautiful display all on their own.

Did you know there were so many different types of daffodils? So many more than your typical yellow ditch daffodil.

Long River Family Farm carries a selection of daffodils beginning at the end of March and through the first half of April, weather depending, many of my favorites being available to purchase. If you haven’t enjoyed a bouquet of these beautiful flowers, you should really think about seeing them for yourself!

What do to once they finish flowering

It is important to let the foliage die back completely before removing it. Those leaves are collecting the suns energy to feed the bulb so that it can flower again next year. Once completely yellow, cut back the foliage and wait for next Spring to enjoy these beauties in your garden again!