Daffodils and Narcissi

Nothing is more cheerful than a classic daffodil nodding in the breeze. Well maybe their compact sister plant, Narcissus runs a close second! These wonderful trumpet shaped plants can often be seen scattered under trees in shaded woods. If you want to bring their colourful interest to your garden, we have all the advice you will need to make that happen, in this guide.

On Receipt

Most daffodil bulbs you buy will be packed and delivered in perforated polythene bags, and some may come with sawdust in the bags, to  reduce condensation. Once received, if you're not able to plant them straight away, it is always best to keep them in a cool, dark, moisture-free place and that’ll make sure they keep for a few weeks. Don't worry if you find your packet of daffodils has narcissus on the bag - that's just the Latin name for daffodils!  They are all part of the same family. 

Planting Daffodil & Narcissi Bulbs

Daffodils are best planted between the months of September and December, but it is best not to leave it too late, as they will do better if you plant them early. This will allow them time to establish a good root system before the weather becomes too cold in the winter.

There is a simple rule of thumb when planting daffodil bulbs, plant them at twice the depth of the height of the bulb and four times their width apart. e.g.  5cm tall bulbs need to be planted 10cm below the surface of the ground and 20cm apart.

Please check the bag for any additional planting instructions.

They are fine to plant even if a little green growth is showing, they’ll just need a good watering when you plant them, and then only when the soil is dry. Leave them in the ground once they die back, – they’ll come back bigger and better each year.

An optional further step is to add mycorrhizal fungi to the roots before planting. This will encourage faster and more reliable establishment, but it's not entirely necessary.

Where to plant Daffodil & Narcissi bulbs

Daffodils naturally grow in shaded woodlands, under the cover of trees, so planting in semi-shaded areas is best for them. Although, they will be fine in full sun too.

 You can also plant  them in herbaceous borders or in pots. Either will work just fine, just make sure that if planted in pots, that you water them frequently and keep the soil consistently moist. You can plant them a little closer together in a pot to ensure you get a good display, but make sure they are not too crowded or you will prevent them from flowering. 

Daffodil & Narcissi Aftercare

Whilst all the energy that a bulb needs in order to grow is stored in the bulb itself, they will do better if you feed them with fertiliser when in active green growth and don't trim off the leaves once the flowers have died down - the bulb needs the leaves to generate the energy for the following year. Wait until the leaves have yellowed and you can then cut them back. 

Other than that, just make sure to water frequently and if in pots ensure that the compost doesn’t dry out, then await a beautiful display!