Inexhaustible beauty can be found in the most ordinary things. Not that I would call any daffodil ordinary, but I feel few people really look at this marvelous 
flower closely and understand its virtues and beauty.
Too often that which comes easy or familiar to us is often not as revered or appreciated. We see this in our relationships with others and the many things to see and do in our own ‘backyard’, but takes visitors from out of town to see these places. Daffodils, as flowers, fall into this category.
So, as the daffodil season comes to a close here are a few compelling reasons to add more daffodils to your life.
First and Bravest
‘Rynvelds Early Sensation’ is our first variety of daffodil to bloom…often the first week of January….yes January! It’s soon followed by ‘February Gold’. It’s that first flower to say to us ‘Hey, don’t despair spring will be here soon’. Also, the daffodil, just to reassure us, hangs with us until we are well passed the official date of spring and the earliest peonies begin to bloom. Certainly, no single variety can span with consistent bloom from January to May, but a range or early, mid and late bloomers have for us each year.
Loyal Friend
Daffodils are perennials. It’s a build that comes back every year …often for many decades. But, give them as much sun as possible, let the foliage dieback naturally and after blooming they can benefit from a good organic all purpose fertilizer.
Deer Resistant
Yes, these are resistant to munching deer and ground burrowing critters. We’ve planted over 450,000 bulbs (and still planting – yes, I know it’s an obsession) at Moss Mountain Farm over the last decade with any issues of overgrazing.
Generous and Good Multipliers
We’ve found some varieties are better ‘increasers’ than others. For instance ‘ Ice Follies’ an early bloomer, ‘Tete e tete’ and ‘Thalia’ are exemptional. We rarely dig and divide existing daffodil clumps. I’m sure some varieties could benefit, but there have been old varieties on the farm potentially since the mid-1800s and they continue to bloom. So, to divide or not to divide? I’d almost rather add more new varieties…see, I said it’s an obsession!
5 Companion Perennials to Consider
These perennials will emerge as the daffodils have finished blooming are declining, eventually these perennials will cover the spent foliage of the daffodils.
- Daylily
- Coral bells
- Solomon Seal
- Russian Sage
- Hyssop ‘Fortune Blue’