Why Daffodils?

It’s nice to know a woman my age can still stop traffic out in the garden. Well, ok, maybe they yell things out their car window like, “Great daffodils!”

You see my home is located on a well-worn shortcut. Add to that the exposed nature of my property, and I garden in front of God and everybody. My successes and failures are on public display.

I’m known for my daffodils, large quantities of them. But I hate to take much credit. Planting daffs is a no-brainer. You dig a hole, pop them in, and wait for the show. That’s so much reward for so little work. And many kinds multiply as well.

I like to buy them in bulk from the mail-order and internet sales offered during the summer. These bulbs are specially priced, shipped fresh and ready to plant at the right time for your area.

I’m partial to the classics; big trumpet shapes with cheerful orange cups like “Fortissimo” and “Delibes”. Yet I do like the white varieties “Mt. Hood” or “Ice King” for shady woodland spots. Daffodils grow well under deciduous trees completing most of their above ground cycle before leaves come out.

Jonquil-types like “Sun Disc” and “Suzy” bloom in multiples from one bulb. Tazetta varieties do this as well with the added ability to cope in southern climates.

The petals of cyclamineus daffodils like dainty “Jetfire” and “Jack Snipe” flare back giving them a windswept look. These whimsical flowers look better planted in masses for a heightened effect.

“Barrett Browning” is a perfect example of the small-cupped daffodil. White petals with a demure orange cup characterize this type that naturalizes into large drifts as the years go by.

I’m still trying to wrap by head around the idea of the pink daffodil. For the non-conformist there are several varieties sporting peach to pink cups over a white petticoat. Maybe I’ll start with the pale peach “Salome” and work my way up to “Pink Parasol”.

It’s probably just a matter of time before I’m converted. As the only thing better than daffodils, it’s more daffodils!