Selecting
Daffodil Bulbs
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Daffodils hail the arrival of Spring and bring a huge splash of vibrant colour to the UK gardens. However they come in different heights, shapes and colours. The information below should help you decide what you want for your garden.
Selecting Daffodil Bulbs
When selecting daffodil varieties for your garden you should firstly consider where you want to plant them. Daffodils can be used in variety of garden situations
- in clumps in the borders
- in rockeries or screes
- in pots and containers
- naturalised in the lawn or meadows
You will then also want to consider
- when they are going to flower (daffodils generally flower in March and April but you can extend this season with careful selection of varieties).
- how tall they will grow (daffodils vary from 15cm to 60cm)
- whether you like the look of them (colour, shape etc)
Useful Web Resources on Daffodil selection
BBC Gardening: Plant Profiles - Daffodils includes recommended varieties for the border, containers, indoors and naturalising.
Daffodils ideal for pots and containers- Bloms Bulbs selections for pots and containers
Naturalising bulbs:Broadleigh Gardens article on naturalising bulbs including recommended varieties of daffodils for naturalising.
Daffodil Divisions
When browsing through the catalogues of daffodil bulbs you may come across the term "division". Daffodils (narcissi) are classified into 12 divisions.
Division 1 - Trumpet Daffodils -15- 45cm - the trumpet is at least as long as the petals - all have one flower per stem. (Daffodil is the common name for all varieties in this division). Varieties include "King Alfred" and "Dutch Master".
Division 2 - Large-Cupped Narcissi - 30-60cm - one flower per stem - cup more than 1/3 length of petals - includes "Yellow Sun" & "Rosy Sunrise"
Division 3 - Small Cupped Narcissi - 30-45cm - one flower per stem - cup less than 1/3 length of the petals- includes "Angel" which is very late.
Division 4 - Double Narcissi - 15-45cm - one or more flowers per stem and more than one ring of flowers (eg double) includes "Cheerfulness" and "Rip Van Winkle"
Division 5 - Triandrus Narcissi - 15-45cm - usually several flowers per stem - drooping flowers and slightly reflexed petals - includes "Thalia"
Division 6 - Cyclamineus Narcissi - 15-30cm - nearly always one flower per stem - drooping flowers with long trumpets and strongly reflexed petals. includes "February Gold" and "Jack Snipe"
Division 7 - Jonquilla Narcissi - 15-30cm - usually more than one flower per stem - cup shorter than the petals, includes "Suzy" and "Sun Disc"
Division 8 - Tazetta Narcissi - 15-45cm - several flowers per stem - small flowers with short cups and rounded petals, includes "Paper White" and "Minnow"
Division 9 - Poeticus Narcissi - 30-45cm - white petals with frilled red-edged cup - includes "Pheasant's Eye"
Division 10 - Wild Narcissi - under 30cm - all species, varieties and hybrids found in the wild -includes Narcissus bulbocodium.
Divison 11 - Spilt Corona Narcissus - 30-45cm - corona split for at least 1/3 of its length - includes Chanterelle and Lemon Beauty.
Division 12 - Miscellaneous Narcissi - those which belong nowhere else!
Useful Web Resources on Daffodil Divisions
RA Scamp - Daffodil Division Classification
Other Daffodil Pages