Darling Daffodils

Among the first flowers to grow in spring, daffodils are a favorite of gardeners since they are so low maintenance and easy to grow. Termed "Easter flowers" in southern parts of the United States because they flower around Easter time, daffodils come in many colors including shades of yellow, white, orange, pink, red, and green. While some daffodils are entirely one color, other varieties are comprised of two or more colors. The trumpet of one variety may be pink with white petals, while another species may have an orange trumpet and yellow petals.

Daffodils are of the Narcissus family and, thus, are naturally pest-repellant. Because daffodil bulbs taste bitter, squirrels and rabbits will not eat them. Unlike other flower bulbs, daffodils are low maintenance and you can literally place a bulb on top of the ground, squash it into the dirt with your shoe heel, and then wait for it to bloom in spring. If you'd like to exert just a little more effort, you can plant daffodils easily around your trees, shrubs, and walkways to provide a burst of springtime color next spring by following these easy planting directions:

• Select the colors you'd like to see in your landscape. Peruse online reputable flower companies, or visit your local nursery to determine which types of bulbs to buy.
• Decide when you'd like to see your daffodils in bloom. Different varieties will bloom at different times in early, mid, or late season.
• The easiest way to purchase daffodil bulbs is from a catalog or from an online catalog. The company will not send your bulbs right away and, instead, will time them to arrive at your doorstep just in time for fall planting, depending upon the planting zone in which you live.
• When your bulbs arrive for planting, select a sunny spot for your daffodils, and prepare the soil by raking it, removing weeds and debris, and braking apart large clumps of soil.
• Follow the planting directions that come with your bulbs, but the general rule of thumb when planting daffodils is to plant them three to six inches deep, leaving at least four inches between bulbs.
• You may add bulb fertilizer to the bottom of the hole, or not, depending upon your preference or the instructions that came with your bulbs. If you do add fertilizer, mix it into the soil before adding the bulb.
• Place the bulbs into the holes with the pointed side up. The roots of the bulb grow from the bottom, and the bulb needs to rest firmly against the bottom of the hole.

Cover the bulbs with soil and water thoroughly. The only other thing to do is to wait with heady anticipation for spring and the emergence of your darling daffodils!