Daffodil - Narcissus - Where to plant Daffodils

Daffodils seem to be synonymous with 'spring,' providing color and movement in the spring breeze, and in some cases wonderful fragrance. Neither a late snowfall nor a light frost deter them, nor do deer, rabbit, squirrel or groundhog relish the poisonous leaves and flowers of the Narcissus genus. About the only negative one can offer is that, when used as a cut flower, one must avoid placing them in the same vase as other flowers, for they carry in them a compound that causes wilt in their companions. But a bouquet of Daffodils alone is as perfect a picture of spring bounty as it gets anyway. Any more would be in essence 'gilding the lily.'

The genus name comes from the Greek myth about the youth that became so enamored of his reflection that he lapsed into a waking coma, fell into the spring and drowned. Sounds like what happens to some people and their computers. Nevertheless, the Narcissus plant sprung up where the young lad had died. A variant on the name derivation has its origin in the narcotic properties of the plant (narkao, to grow numb). This plant is poisonous, so there may be some truth to that phylogeny. The exact number of species within the genus is up for debate, with some averring that around 25 species of wild types are known, while others suggest that between 50 and 100 species, variants and wild hybrids is more like it. They are all members of the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), and native to Europe, North Africa and Asia.

The words Daffodils and Narcissus are used by many interchangeably. The word daffodil comes from the earlier "Affodell," a variant of the word 'Asphodel.' The 'd' is thought by some to have been derived from the Dutch article 'de;' "de affodil." The term Jonquil is also used by a few in reference to Narcissus, but it more properly refers to one horticultural grouping of the genus.

There are 13 official groupings according to the American Daffodil Society: 1. Trumpets; 2. Large-cupped; 3. Small-cupped; 4.Double; 5. Triandrus; 6.Cyclamineus; 7. Jonquilla; 8. Tazetta; 9. Poeticus; 10. Bulbocodium; 11. Split-corona; 12. Miscellaneous and 13. Species and wild variants. My family knows that I would fit in the last, while aspiring to the ninth grouping.

Narcissus are sold as bulbs, harvested in mid- to late summer for shipment in early to mid-fall. Plant the bulbs in good well-drained garden soil. It is best to plant them in full sun but partial shade is okay.

[Thankful_.]

I just purchased some today at a plant yard sale. Thanks so much for sharing this video. I learned a lot from you. I’ll looking forward to see what variety I got, when they bloom next year.

[yushikuang]

I just plan a mixte of 50 of them...will see if they come out next spring.

[rebecalopez]

I have a pot with narcissus that a friend gave me in good conditions, I am watering them once every week as she told me but they are deteriorating, so I tried to water them more frequently and still continue to fade. So how often should I water them?
I am also putting them in a place where they get direct sun light around 5 hours, and in a colder room. So I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I think is the watering frequency. Can you help me with this? Thanks!!

[iceblue]

May I know what is the title of the poem you are reciting in the video?

[hameedsayal]

i am a great fan and lover of Narcisis. But un luckily when did I Plant it .Thease failed to be on flowers .I want to know the causes and its soloution.HAMEEDULLAH FROM DERA ISMAIL KHAN PAKISTAN

[peterx]

why does it seem that the daffodil blooms all point in the same direction?

[tjhenderson]

I bought some trumpet daffodills and thought I could plant them in the ground and they would come up year after year as I have seen some in my area however it says zone 3-7 perennial and zone 8-11 annual. I live in zone 8b so we have short winters very few really cold days so what can I do to save these guys after they die back and will I ever be able to have a garden of these. Some have said plant in a shady area but they love the sun?? Most around here do seem to be planted in dabbled sunlight. Any suggestions?

[napoleonpug]

These plants in this clip series all grow and bloom well in the shade?

[wendylluv]

Can I plant daffodils? I am in zone 12.

[TheCrusaderRabbits]

Why doesn't he ever pluralize the word Narcissus?