Daffodils For Cold Climates

Planting at the proper time for your area is the first key to success with daffodil bulbs. You should plant a few weeks before before the soil freezes in your area. Obviously you won't be able to work the soil if it is frozen.

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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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 Daffodils For Hot Climates. Obviously this variety is well adapted to a wide range of conditions. It is also a great for naturalizing and should return for many years.
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!

Mount Hood Trumpet Daffodil

Dutch Master Trumpet Daffodil

As a southern gardener I've had to pretty much give up on late blooming daffodils 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 exhibition 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 recommend 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.

Be aware that the heavy flowers of double daffodils often fall over after heavy spring rains. If you usually have rainy weather during the period these large flowers are in bloom you may want to stake the stems or set ring type supports in place for them to grow through.

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Daffodil Apricot Whirl

Photo by Reenie-Just Reenie on Flickr

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 in cool weather. 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 often do in hot southern
gardens.

Narcissus Precocious

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.

Narcissus Poeticus Recurvus(Pheasant's Eye)
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.

I hope I've covered the most important points you need to succeed with daffodils in your cold climate garden. Don't be afraid to experiment with new varieties. Remember almost any type of daffodil will grow in your climate. Just make sure you get them established before your soil freezes.

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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