Dazzled by daffs
Plant your bulbs now, then simply sit back, relax and wait to be...
IN LATE winter, a narrow border in my front garden heralds that spring is on the way as the first daffodils open. It starts with a brilliant solo from the bright yellow trumpets of early-flowering ‘February Gold’ and culminates with a glorious fanfare from a host of equally dazzling members of the troupe.
Despite measuring just 15ft by 1½ft, the narrow slip of soil is home to seven different varieties that put on a wonderful performance, from February until almost the end of April. Among those currently poised to bloom in a few months’ time are ‘Barrenwyn’, ‘Cheerfulness’ and my all-time favourite, ‘Tête-à-Tête’.
As far as I’m concerned, you can never have too many daffodils. So, I’m about to add three others to the mix – two-tone ‘Pheasant’s Eye’, double yellow ‘Dick Wilden’ and ‘Winston Churchill’, a scented variety with white double flowers that are flecked with orange.
I’ve only just bought my bulbs, but they’ve been available in store from late July. I would never plant at that time, as the soil is too dry, preferring to set them in the ground in early autumn before the first frosts. They’ll form extensive roots in warm, moist soil, resulting in vigorous plants with plenty of flower power.
When buying daffodil bulbs, reject any that appear mouldy, damaged or shrivelled, or that feel soft if you give them a gentle squeeze. Bulbs come in varying sizes, with larger ones producing better flowers. You’ll have to take what’s available in shops, but select ‘top size’ bulbs if ordering from online specialists.
Known botanically as narcissus, these much-loved flowers take their botanical name from a figure in Greek mythology who considered himself so handsome that he fell in love with his own reflection. The first man-made hybrids appeared in the 1600s, but nursery- men and aristocratic landowners were the first to start breeding daffodils in earnest during the 19th Century.
There are estimated to be 26,000 different daffodils worldwide, with close to 3,000 available in Britain. Plants range in height from 4in to nearly 2ft, and are topped by single or double flowers – these consist of a cluster of outer petals, or perianth, set around a trumpet or cup (technically a corona).
Daffodils are essential in beds and borders. Plant them under deciduous shrubs or at the front of displays of evergreens. They are particularly good set in herbaceous borders, where the emerging growth of perennials will fill gaps once the daffodils die back.
TALLER varieties are most suitable for these displays. ‘Spellbinder’ boasts bright yellow blooms on 20in stems, while ‘Golden Dawn’ possesses fragrant, tangerine and yellow flowers. ‘Jetfire’ will provide a blast of colour in March and April with its golden perianth and orange trumpets. Planting daffodils is easy. Dig holes with a trowel, making sure they are between two to three times the length of the bulb. They will sometimes rot if they sit in soggy clay soil over winter, so prevent this from happening by adding a layer of sharp grit to the base of planting holes.
Place bulbs in the hole, making sure the pointed end is facing upwards, and then twist the flat base gently into the soil. Crumble the removed earth over the bulb until the hole is full. Space individual bulbs 8in to 10in apart and get them off to a flying start by scattering bonemeal fertiliser across the planting area.
A great way of displaying daffodils is to naturalise them in grass. It’s important to choose early-flowering varieties, as once the flowers go over, plants will need to be left to die back naturally before mowing can commence. Among the most suitable are the Tenby daffodil, ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’ and ‘Jack Snipe’. Naturalising bulbs in the lawn is a simple process. Simply drop a handful of bulbs from waist height and plant where they land for an informal look. Daffodils can also be grown in pots of multipurpose compost. Rather than growing lots of different varieties together, keep things simple and grow a single variety in a container.