Narcissus / daffodils FAQ's
Frequently asked questions for Narcissus bulbs
What is the best month to plant daffodil bulbs?
Daffodils/narcissi need to be planted in autumn between September and December. Ideally, they should be planted as soon as possible once they are delivered while they’re as fresh as possible. Winter provides the cold period they need to grow the foll
How many years will daffodils bloom?
Daffodils/narcissi are perennial and provided they are in the right conditions and are treated correctly, they will flower for many years and increase in numbers. Remember to leave the stem and foliage on the bulb until it has died back as this will
Can you plant daffodils and tulips together?
Daffodils and tulips make fantastic planting partners. Choose mid-late season narcissus which flower in April at the same time as tulips if you wish to create a flowering combination. For a successive display, plant early flowering daffodils which wi
What can you plant on top of daffodils?
Daffodils combine well with other spring flowering bulbs, such as crocus, tulips, hyacinths, muscari and anemones. Narcissus bulbs tend to be fairly large, smaller bulbs can be planted closer to the soil surface around your daffodil bulbs.
Why do daffodils not flower every year?
Provided they have been growing in suitable conditions, daffodils usually flower every year for many years. The most common reason why daffodils fail to flower is early removal of the foliage and stem after the previous growing season.
What do I do with daffodil bulbs after flowering?
Deadhead daffodils after flowering by snipping the flowerhead from the top of the stem before it starts to turn to seed. Allow the length of the stem and the leaves to turn yellow or fully die back before removing it at ground level. The bulbs should
Can you leave daffodil bulbs in the ground all year?
Daffodil bulbs should remain planted throughout the year. Providing the stem and leaves are left to fully die back after flowering, every spring they will grow back. They will also start to multiply.
How many daffodil bulbs should I plant together?
You can plant daffodils in groups or dot them around individually. When planting in small groups, an odd number of bulbs looks best, e.g. 3, 5 or 7 bulbs. For larger groups, it does not matter what number you plant together, as long as they are space
How many flowers do you get from one daffodil bulb?
Some varieties of daffodil produce a stem with multiple blooms at the top, others produce one stem with one large flower at the top. With larger bulbs, you may get more than one stem per bulb. Over time, daffodils multiply into groups of bulbs which
How late is too late to plant daffodil bulbs?
You should plant daffodil bulbs by December, but often you can plant them later than that if the bulbs still look healthy and feel firm. They will naturally deteriorate the longer they are stored. Whilst they should ideally be planted in autumn, if y
How many daffodil bulbs are in a hole?
You can plant one daffodil bulb per hole, or dig a wider hole or trench and plant multiple daffodil bulbs in it at a spacing of 10-15cm apart from each other.
Do daffodils multiply?
Daffodils multiply (naturalise) over time. New bulbs are produced on the side of the bulb you originally planted. These young bulbs may take a few years to reach a flowering size and may only produce leaves to begin with, but eventually you will noti
Should I deadhead my daffodils?
Once your daffodils have finished flowering you should pick or snip off the old flower before it starts to form a seedhead. Leave the stems and leaves intact until they turn yellow or fully die back. Whilst the stem and leaves are green, they are tra
How fast do daffodils spread?
Daffodils do not spread rapidly but will gradually form larger groups over the years. To fill a space of a large size, it is best to plant the bulbs individually at a spacing of around 20-30cm so that they create an impact in the first year, and have
Where is the best place to plant daffodils?
Daffodils are unfussy and grow well in most soils and aspects. They are happy in pots, borders, in grass and woodland settings. Smaller varieties also look great in rockeries. They need free draining soil and prefer full sun or partial/dappled shade.
Should you dig up daffodil bulbs after flowering?
Daffodils should remain planted all year round. Once they have finished flowering and the stem and leaves have died back, leave the bulbs in the soil. If they are planted into pots and you wish to transfer them into the garden, you can do so once the
What depth do you plant daffodil bulbs?
The planting depth of daffodil bulbs depends on the size of the bulb. Some varieties grow from bigger bulbs than others. As a general rule, plant the bulbs 2-3 times as deep and the bulb measures from top to bottom. There are some exceptions—you can
Do daffodils need full sun?
Daffodils grow happily in an area which is in full sun, shade for part of the day (partial shade) or dappled shade all day (partial shade). Daffodils which are planted in full sun tend to flower a little earlier than those which are in partial shade.
What should I plant in front of daffodils?
Daffodils look great planted in combinations with other spring bulbs, such as crocuses, hyacinths, tulips and fritillaria. Some daffodils flower early in the season (February/March) and you can plant those with crocuses or chionodoxa which would flow
Why do daffodils not flower every year?
Daffodils usually flower every year, but it is necessary for the stem and leaves to be allowed to fully die back at the end of the previous growing season before it is removed. If the foliage and stem is removed too early the previous year, they may
Can you plant multiple bulbs in one hole?
You can dig a wide hole or trench and plant multiple daffodil bulbs into it. Just ensure they bulbs are spaced around 10-15cm apart from each other (or 2-3 times the width of the bulb) in the hole or trench.
Will daffodils bloom the first year?
All our daffodil bulbs are supplied at a mature, flowering size, which means that they will flower in the first year if planted correctly in autumn.
Do daffodils only bloom once?
Daffodils are perennial which means they grow back and flower every year. To ensure they flower each year, it is necessary to allow the stem and leaves to die back or turn yellow after flowering. If the stem and foliage is removed while still green,
Do daffodils grow back if you pick them?
Narcissus bulbs make fantastic cut flowers, but cutting the stems may result in the bulbs being blind (without flowers) the following year. Picking the flowers will not harm the bulbs and even if they miss a year of flowering, they should flower agai
What happens if you don't plant daffodils deep enough?
Daffodils should be planted around 2-3 times as deep as the bulb measures from top to bottom. If they are planted much shallower than this, usually they will grow anyway, however there is a chance that they may either produce stunted growth or stems
Why are my daffodils so short?
Some varieties are taller than others. If they seem stunted, this may be because the bulbs are planted too shallowly or the soil is too hard. Daffodils can also be stunted if they were planted late (after December).
How do I prepare daffodils for next year?
When you receive your daffodil bulbs in autumn, simply plant them directly in borders or pots outdoors between September and December. Daffodils should be left planted all year round. The only preparation they require for the following year is for th