From bulb to flower: how to care for daffodils

Daffodils are versatile bulbs, as comfortable in formal landscapes as in meadows or open woodlands. Here are some tips to help you grow healthier, more colourful daffodils in your garden with minimal effort.

Because the bulbs are inexpensive and readily available, it's easy to stock and grow whatever types you like. Here are some popular varieties:

• The trumpet daffodil stands 35 to 50 centimetres (14 to 20 inches) tall and has a long central floral tube framed by a star of petals. Cultivars of this variety number in the hundreds.
• Large-cupped daffodils are the same size as trumpet daffodils, but have a flattened central cup.
• 'Ice Follies' has white petals and a yellow cup that turns white with age. It performs better in mild-winter areas than do many other daffodils, yet is hardy enough for cold climates.
• Petite cyclamineus daffodils are ideal for planting in pots, beneath small trees that drop their leaves in fall or near spring-flowering shrubs. They're only 18 to 35 centimetres (7 to 14 inches) tall with dramatically backswept petals.

Daffodils need to be planted very carefully.

1. Plant firm, dormant daffodil bulbs in the fall with the pointed ends up, in groupings of 10 or more.
2. Dig holes wide enough for several bulbs. Mix five centimetres (two inches) of compost into the soil at the bottom of the hole.
3. Set bulbs 20 centimetres (eight inches) deep and 15 centimetres (six inches) apart, then fill the hole with soil.

As soon as new foliage emerges in spring, fertilize daffodils with a commercial bulb fertilizer. Alternatively, apply a topdressing of compost.

• There's no need to protect daffodil foliage from late spring freezes. It's a very hardy plant.

After your daffodils flower, don't pluck off the yellowing leaves that remain behind. They help to nourish the bulbs for next year's flowers.

• The emerging leaves of perennials such as peony, daylily, Siberian iris and hosta will hide the daffodils' yellowing leaves.
• If you're careful not to dig so deeply that you damage the bulbs, you can plant shallow-rooted annuals over them shortly after the daffodil leaves shrivel.

Daffodils are so critter-resistant, you can plant them near tulips and crocuses to help repel rodents.

• Although they're virtually indestructible, daffodil bulbs can rot if planted in poorly drained soil. Plant only in well-drained locations.
• They can also fall prey to the bulb-eating larvae of narcissus bulb fly. To avoid problems, discard bulbs with soft or discoloured spots.
• If a patch of bulbs is affected by flies, do not replant daffodil bulbs in the same area. The soil can harbour eggs of these pest insects, so plant the bulbs in a new location that's father away.

Over the years, daffodils can become so crowded that flowering diminishes. If this happens, dig up the clump as the leaves fade in early summer. Then, separate and replant the bulbs immediately.

• The largest bulbs will flower the following spring. Smaller ones will bloom in subsequent years.

Daffodils are a bright and versatile flower that add a familiar look to any garden. Although they need particular care at each step, from the planting to controlling overgrowth, the effort is well worth it because they are such hardy springtime flowers.