What are the rules for planting?
WITH spring, hopefully, just around the corner, daffodil Expert Ron Scamp answers some questions about planting these cheery blooms.
What’s the secret of daffodil success?
The most important thing is that your bulbs are sound and of good quality. Just give the bulb a little squeeze. If it feels firm and looks healthy, that should be fine.
Plant 4-6in deep, the bulb will settle and grow and multiply naturally. If you plant too shallow, the bulb will split up too quickly and the bulbs will
What sort of soil is best?
Daffodils will grow in almost any soil, but ideally something slightly alkaline. If you have a heavy clay soil, add a bit of grit to the bottom of the hole. Bulbs don’t want to sit in water. Add a bit of grit to the mix If you are growing them in containers, to maintain free drainage.
Plant them from September and before the end of October.
How long should you leave them after flowering before tidying up?
Don’t cut leaves off until eight weeks after flowering, which is the time to harvest your bulbs if you are going to lift and divide them – and Don’t tie them up, you are just cutting off the sap and growth.
Which containers should you choose?
If you have big pots outside, any sort is fine, but if you have a 9in pot or a small bowl, I’d go for dwarf types like the cyclamineus hybrids and apondanthus hybrids. Many miniatures are superb.
Not all daffodils are scented, but most scented ones come into the poeticus, jonquilla and tazetta sub-species. Some are multiheaded and some tazettas can have up to 20 flowers a stem.
Tazettas are invariably very tall. The bulbs are like cricket balls and the flowers are on long stems, growing to around 24in. They look best in the back of the border.
Which are best for scent?