It’s no surprise, cheerful daffodil blooms symbolize new beginnings, birth, joy, and happiness. Their presence in the bleakness of winter reminds us to have hope. Daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, narcissus, and buttercups. 

Here’s a list of 10 things we love about growing daffodils, our favorite, late winter, early spring flowers. 

1.     It’s the first bright, cheerful flower to burst forth on the winter landscape, reminding us that spring will come sooner than later. No wonder it’s the birth flower for the month of March. 

2.     Daffodils are perennials, so we can look forward to their yearly bloom. 

3.     Daffodils are hardy, easy to grow, and require little to no maintenance. 

4.     Deer and rodents won’t dine on daffodils in your yard. 

5.     Daffodils aren’t native to North America. They were introduced by early European settlers. However, they aren’t considered invasive, so they’re here to stay, welcomed, and loved by many. 

6.     Yellow blooms are most associated with daffodils. Yet this spring blooming flower is available commercially in a range of colors: peach, pink, red-orange cup, solid white, and lovely bi-color varieties. 

7.     Growing to a height of 12” to 18” with its slender, long green foliage with pointed tips, and frilly center cup, the daffodil makes a beautiful addition to your lawn or garden. 

8.     The versatile daffodil grows well in well-drained soil, where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. Plant in full sun or partial shade. The flower will lean toward the sun. 

9.     Daffodils are especially beautiful growing in clusters. Daffodil bulbs can be planted around trees, in rock gardens, woodland areas, and as borders. Add pops of color and plant around a mailbox, light post, along a fence or arbor. 

10.  Although spring blooming bulbs like the daffodil are typically planted in fall, I’ve successfully dug wild daffodils in full bloom: the bulb, foliage, and flower intact, and transplanted them directly into my flowerbed. (As pictured above.) To ensure successful transplanting, wait until the last chance of frost has passed. This will help them naturalize outdoors. Nothing like free, beautiful flowers to appreciate for years to come. 

By Deborah S. Tukua, author of Traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway from A to Z.

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