Gardening tips – daffodils

Tips for growing and caring for daffodils in your garden.

Adding a warm glow of colour to the garden after the recent snowy blizzards, it’s no wonder that daffodils have long been considered one of the heralds of Spring. These bright flowers almost seem to sing out that Winter is over, and the garden will begin to thrive gloriously.

Typically planted in the Autumn months, these beautiful blooms spend several months developing their roots before the buds start to blossom in early March – a period of exposure to cold temperatures is necessary for their growth to begin in Spring. And they are one of the rare species of plants that are able to grow successfully through the snow – which is music to our ears after the recent visit we had from that bitter Beast from the East!

Also known as narcissus and jonquil, daffodils belong to the amaryllis family, and as a result of more than a  century of breeding, there are hundreds of varieties of the flower existing today. These can largely be divided into thirteen sub-groups, depending on characteristics such as the petal and bulb shapes and sizes, colouring, scents, cluster size, and the plant’s ability to naturalise in grass.

Tips for growing and caring for daffodils in your garden

• Daffodil bulbs should be planted in Autumn. Choose a well-drained, sunny spot, with a slightly acidic soil
• Plant the bulbs at around 2 to 5 times their own depth. The plants will tolerate some moderate crowding, but they are best spaced 3-6 inches apart
• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers
• Like most perennials, daffodils will do well with about 1 inch of water per week while they are actively growing and blooming – from March to May
• Use mulch to help conserve moisture
• Once bloomed, refrain from cutting the foliage until it begins to turn yellow (typically late May-June).
• Since a daffodil is a perennial plant, aim to divide the clumps of bulbs in early summer, every 5 to 10 years

Be aware that daffodils can be poisonous to animals, so make sure your pets aren’t snacking on them!

Our customers are always delighted that their garden room, orangery or conservatory allows them to enjoy observing their garden throughout the changing seasons. There’s a sweet anticipation in waiting for your favourite plant to bloom and we do look forward to daffodils for all the promise of Spring, sunshine and warmer days that they represent.