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Northern Gardeners Can Grow Almost Any Daffodil In Their Cold Climate
There are some types of daffodils that grow exceptionally well in the North and we'll talk about those. For the most part, success with daffodils for cold climate gardeners is more a matter of culture than variety choice.
This lens will guide you through the process of growing daffodils in your cold climate garden.
*Photo by Clearly Ambiguous On Flickr
Persistent Spring
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Contents at a Glance
- Cold Climate Bulb Planting Tips
- Trumpet And Large-Cupped Daffodils Love Cold Northern Winters
- Frilly Double And Split Corona Daffodils Will Thrive In The Great North
Cold Climate Bulb Planting Tips
Proper Planting Can Make The Difference Between Success And Failure
It's very important to plant your bulbs at the correct depth. Soils that tend to go through freezing and thawing cycles will heave shallowly planted bulbs right out of the ground. A 6-8 inch depth is ideal.
Some northern gardeners recommend planting your daffodil bulbs right before the first early snow is expected. The reasoning here is that it usually warms up again melting the soil and settling the bulbs into their new bed. If you're having a warm dry fall you should water the soil after planting. Add a thick layer of organic mulch before the ground freezes and you're good to go.
*For a step by step guide to planting daffodils in the North go to How To Grow Daffodils In Cold Climates
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Trumpet And Large-Cupped Daffodils Love Cold Northern Winters
Almost Any Trumpet Or Large-Cupped Type Will Grow In Your Garden
There are several types of daffodils that perform as well or better in the north than in other areas. Trumpet and large-cup types are ideal for all but the mildest winter regions. This means if you live in a frigid area you should be fine with most any narcissus in these divisions.A good large-cupped type for all but the hottest gardens is Ice Follies. I have written at length about Ice Follies in my lens Cool Daffodils For Hot Climates. Obviously this variety is well adapted to a wide range of conditions. It is also a great naturalizer.
Dutch Master is a good trumpet for the north. This large flowered trumpet is the successor to the famous King Alfred daffodil from 1890. Most people think of a yellow trumpet type when they hear the name "daffodil" but the trumpet daffodil as we know it wasn't widely grown in gardens until the early 20th century!
Dutch Master Trumpet Daffodil
Dutch Master Is the classic golden-yellow trumpet daffodil.Every garden should have a large planting of trumpet daffodils.
Frilly Double And Split Corona Daffodils Will Thrive In The Great North
These Finicky Flowers Will Last Long And Be Strong In Your Cool Garden
As a southern gardener I've had to pretty much give up on late bloomers with large double flowers. They bloom in April in my garden which is a rainy month that often brings the first hot spells of the year. Those big ruffly flowers just don't hold up to that. The good news for northern gardeners is that they bloom in your area at just the right time to preserve their delicate beauty.Split Corona, or butterfly types of daffodils should also put on a good show for gardens in USDA zones 3-6. These narcissus bulbs produce lovely exibition quality flowers that have extra petals in the center instead of a cup or trumpet.
There are many great choices for large double and split corona type daffodils. I would recomend that you try the white and pink flowered varieties. Also if you can afford them don't miss the opportunity to grow double poeticus flowers. These gorgeous sweet smelling flowers are a treat that gardeners in the southern and western states can only dream about.
Shrike Pink Cupped Daffodil
This brand new for 2009 split corona daffodil features a ruffled coral-pink cup surrounded by pure white petals
Replete Double Daffodil
Replete double daffodils may look delicate but the flowers are large and strong. This popular late bloomer may need to be staked to keep the heavy flowers from flopping over after spring rains.
Photo by Reenie-Just Reenie on Flickr
Think Pink! (Pink Daffodils,That Is)
Gardeners in the north sometimes express frustration with the shorter growing seasons but cool northern springs have advantages that southern gardeners like myself can be jealous of when it comes to growing narcissus bulbs. The cooler weather in your garden means you can go crazy with pink daffodils! The color of pink-cupped daffodils will be stronger and last longer. Their white petals will be brighter and crisper and not as subject to fading and spotting. In other words they'll look like the picture and not all anemic and sunburned like they look in my garden.
Salome Pink Daffodil
This pink cupped daffodil is a popular classic. It blooms a little earlier than many pink varieties and stands up well to spring rains.
Narcissus Poeticus: The Poet's Daffodil
Poeticus And Small-Cupped Daffodils Are A Must In Cold Climate Gardens
Narcissus poeticus is the ancient and famous poet's daffodil and is probably the first type of narcissus bulb to be introduced into commerce. These flowers have white petals and tiny cups called eyes that have two to three colors with a ring around the outside. Its other popular name is Pheasant's Eye.Most daffodils in the small-cupped division have poeticus parentage. These narcissi love cool northern springs. They are highly hybridized and tend to be the most expensive of all daffodil types.
The Poet's Daffodil
This is the classic narcissus poeticus recurvus or poet's daffodil. Also known as Pheasant's Eye, this beautiful daffodil has been grown for hundreds of years and may actually be a wild form. It will probably be the last narcissus to bloom in your garden.
The Poet's Daffodil-A Great Choice For Northern Gardens
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Gardeners In Cold Climates Have No Excuse To Avoid Daffodils
You're Really Missing Out If You Don't Plant Some Bulbs
One more tip: when buying bulbs choose those that have been grown in the north. Many of the same bulbs that do well in my Alabama garden will also do fine in yours. But if you were to buy bulbs that were grown in say, Texas or Louisiana, as I do, you will probably be disappointed with the results.
Don't forget- plant 'em early, plant 'em at the proper depth and get northern grown bulbs and your cold climate garden will be full of beautiful daffodils every spring.
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ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
My mother's garden is awash with daffodils. Now I understand why her's do better than mine.
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy
Posted May 26, 2009
flowergardener wrote...
Ha ha ha, those snowy photos look like my home! I think my favorite is the Narcissis Poeticus. They look so fragile, but they're really not. Beautiful photos & lens!
Posted November 10, 2008
