Daffodil Blindness

Collaborative post

From traditional soil planting to innovative water-based techniques, we’ll explore Different Ways to Grow Narcissus that’ll surely tempt you into growing one!

Wondering when to plant your daffodils? Perhaps you have a bag of bulbs that have been left at the back of the greenhouse, just begging to be planted… well, it’s probably not too late! Our plant experts give their advice on when it’s truly too late to plant your daffodil bulbs – spoiler alert, it’s later than you might expect.

Wondering what blooms to plant with your new daffodils? There’s an amazing range of seasonal plants to partner with your favourite daffodils and narcissi bulbs.

Daffodils are classified into 13 divisions and currently one of the most popular is Division 8 Tazetta Narcissi. These are a group of low growing daffodils that are at home in rockeries or containers.

This year I didn’t take my own advice and have pots of Daffs that are stunted and unlikely to excel. Take the plunge and bury your bulb pots to encourage strong root growth. Next year is the key- at least gardeners usually get another chance to fail!

This picture was taken in late March at the University Botanic Gardens Oxford. I’m not sure of the variety, but, they remind me of tete a tete.

Daffodils by river Cherwell and Magdalen Tower in background

A disappointing display of flowers on rose bushes and climbers can be a result of ‘rose blindness’.  The term blindness in gardening terms refers to the failure to flower and is common in daffodils that become constricted (see below).

Now is a good time to think of planting some more daffodils for cutting or naturalising.

Although commonly known as daffodils, the term Narcissus is the correct genus name for these spring blooming bulbs.Narcissus species and hybrids come in a myriad of sizes, colors, and forms, and some are extremely fragrant. While mostly native to the Mediterranean, a few daffodil species originated from China and Asia. These beautiful flowers are symbols of rebirth and new beginnings, and for that reason, they are the March birth flower. A daffodil bouquet given for a tenth wedding anniversary gift is believed to ensure happiness.

Daffodils are one of the most reliable spring bulbs for the Southeast. Not all cultivars, though, survive the summer and come back year after year. The following cultivars have a proven track record in the Coastal Plain region, meaning they have bloomed reliably and lasted in my yard for five to 20 years.