Growing daffodils

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are planted in autumn, to flower in winter and spring. They grow in full sun to semi-shade but do best in a position with sun during winter and spring, when they bloom. Daffodils also need plenty of sun when they’ve just finished flowering, as this is when the bulbs are taking in energy for the following year’s display. They are an ideal choice as an underplanting for deciduous trees that are bare-stemmed in winter. Some varieties need a drop in temperature to induce flowering.

Well-drained soil is vital for longevity of bulbs. They may rot if soil becomes waterlogged, especially during summer, when they are dormant. As daffodils and other narcissus grow and flower in winter and spring, bulbs generally survive on rainfall alone, especially in areas with reliable winter rainfall, such as southern parts of Australia. In regions with dry winters, or where bulbs are grown in pots, additional watering may be needed during the growing season but, generally, daffodils are waterwise garden plants.