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Top FAQs about Daffodils

Daffodil relatives
What is the difference between a jonquil, a daffodil, and a narcissus?

All of these names refer to this lovely yellow spring flower, but here are some distinctions. Narcissus is the botanical name of the entire genus, and is often used to refer to white-flowered types or those that grow in clusters. Daffodil generally refers to the common large yellow trumpet types. Jonquil is reserved for the species N. jonquilla, which has long, narrow leaves and multiple small flowers with small cups. Technically, the genus Narcissus has many divisions, based on attributes like the relative lengths of the trumpet (corolla) and petals (perianths), and whether the flower is one color or bicolored.

Daffodils have healthy leaves but no blooms
My daffodils are up, tall and green and healthy-looking, but they have no buds or blooms. What is wrong?

It's so disappointing when spring bulbs don't bloom! Nonblooming might be the result of cutting the foliage too soon last year. The leaves help the bulb manufacture energy for producing a bloom. Always allow the foliage of daffodils and other bulbs to die back naturally. Other possibilities are that the bulbs need dividing, are in too much shade (they should have at least 6 hours of sun per day) or are in a spot that is too damp.

When to divide daffodils
My daffodils have lots of flowers but are starting to look crowded. Do I need to divide them?

Daffodil bulbs are very long-lived, but most varieties do need to be divided and replanted when they become crowded. Failure to do this can result in foliage without blooms. Divide the bulbs in the fall, or in early summer after the foliage has faded. If you divide them in summer, you will need to store them until time for fall planting. If you plan to divide them in the fall, mark where they are growing now so you can find them easily.

Planting bulbs late
It's December, and I just found some tulips and daffodils I forgot to plant last fall. Should I plant them now or wait until next fall?

If the bulbs are still firm, plant them now. You can't store bulbs until next fall—they'll dry out too much. If you can still work the soil, plant them now. If the ground is frozen, chill them in the refrigerator, then use them for forcing indoors.

Published by the National Gardening Association www.garden.org, www.kidsgardening.com

Geranium Daffodil
This Narcissus tazetta variety has elegant blooms borne in clusters up to six. Its tangerine-orange trumpet is slight in size and has a perianth contrasting in pure white.

Rip Van Winkle
Long-lasting, bright yellow double blooms are just 1"-2" across. Developed before 1885, this miniature daffodil is one of the oldest varieties available.

Jetfire Daffodil
An early-blooming naturalizer, this celebrated American hybrid has large blooms of vivid yellow with a strongly reflexed perianth and a vibrant orange trumpet.