Narcissus - Daffodil - Gigantic Star

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Common Name(s): Daffodil, Jonquil

Native to: Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

Flowering: Late Winter to Spring

Watering: Water well during the growing season if dry conditions prevail, but allow the soil to dry out once the leaves die down

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Grassland

Description

Daffodils & Jonquils are easy to grow, multiply freely and bloom year after year. Flower colours range from white to yellow, although individual varieties may have white, yellow, red, orange or pink trumpets. The use of these bulbs is legendary, as few others are as adaptable to so many locations as Narcissus. In lawns they can be naturalized; in the garden they can be used in conjunction with spring flowering annuals; in shrub borders and other permanent plantings they add spring colour. They can be grown in pots and terrace planters and are ideal as cut flowers for vases and arrangements where their fragrance can bring the breath of spring indoors.

Different Narcissus varieties are suited to differing climatic conditions. Best flowering types for the warmer northern areas of Australia are the tazettas and hoop petticoats, while the trumpet and large cupped daffodils do best in regions with a decidedly chill winter and may dwindle where they do not experience this; however they can be grown in warm regions as bedding plants for one season and then discarded or lifted each season after flowering and cold treated before being planted out again.

Cultivation

Frost hardiness of these bulbs varies, but all will tolerate at least light frosts and they grow best in cool areas. Prepare a deep, rich, well drained soil (with a pH of 5.5 to 7) with an addition of bone meal or proprietary bulb fertilizer. In autumn, plant the bulbs 7 to 10cm apart and to a depth of the soil above them equal to twice the height of the bulb. They enjoy full sun in cool areas and some shade in warmer areas.

Shortly after the foliage emerges through the soil, spread a small amount of general fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 over the growing area and water in. Water well during the growing season if dry conditions prevail, but allow the soil to dry out once the leaves die down. After the bulbs have flowered, resist the urge to remove the untidy green foliage but allow it to die down naturally. Bulb clumps will multiply freely and should be left undisturbed for many years. Only lift and divide them in spring/summer if they appear to become crowded.