Daffodils, The Golden Trumpets of the English Spring
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Daffodils swaying merrily in the wind is one image that defined England’s picturesque appeal. These flowers are often seen as a cheerful harbinger of spring. Regardless of whether you are the owner of a large country style cottage or have a town apartment with a window-ledge, sowing daffodil bulbs is one of the ways to add the that splash of sunlight to your exterior.
Daffodils, or narcissi as they are scientifically termed, run wild in Britain since the Romans’ days. Still, it was the Victorians who took daffodil to the next level and made the flower what it is today. They produced thousands of hybrids, so many that several of them are still being cultivated to this very day.
Choosing Your Daffodil Bulbs
Another advantage that comes with growing daffodils is the numbers of them out there – there are many types of daffodils that you can grow. These flowers range from the traditional bright yellow trumpets to the subtle miniature ones. There is a daffodil for every occasion. While picking the bulbs, you should select the rounded ones that are not mouldy or bruised in any way. Here are a few varieties to consider:
‘King Alfred’: The classic large yellow daffodil ideal for naturalising in grass.
‘Tête-à-tête’: A delightful little type, it will grow well in a pot and is perfect for the front of the border.
‘Thalia’: A white daffodil with several flowers on a single stalk; appears very refined.
‘Rip van Winkle’: An interesting variety of double daffodil that has rather jagged edges on their petals.
‘Pheasant’s Eye’: A late-flowering kind and it has a red-edged cup which makes a very good addition to the season.
Planting Your Daffodil Bulbs
In England, daffodil bulbs should be planted in early autumn, that is in September or October. This helps them to lay their grounding before the harsh season of winter arrives.
It should preferably be grown in an area that gets full sun to partly shaded area. Daffodils are not too picky when it comes to soil, however, they love nutrients that drains quickly.
Bury the bulbs about three times their size into the soil. For most varieties, it means that the planting should be done to the depth of 10-15 cm.
Proper spacing of space bulbs should be done and this should be between 10-15 cm. There’s no need to be very particular with the design – daffodils should be planted in some informal bunch.
If the plant is planted in the heavy clay soil then it recommended that some grit should be incorporated into the soil where the plant is to planted to provide drainage to the plant.
Nurturing Your Daffodils
After the bulbs are planted daffodils require very little attention and care. They will lie dormant through the Winter, and spring to live when the days are getting longer. During the growth of new shoots in spring, possible threats are slugs and snails since they feed on young shoots. Following flowering, let the foliage remain on the plant to wilt. This help the bulbs to accumulate energy for the next year’s display.
If wish to move or divide cultivation like clumps, you should do so when the foliage is dead but has not completely withered.
For those daffodils grown in containers mix a balanced liquid fertiliser, after flowering has completed.
Daffodils in a Larger World
Spring has been made a great deal more lovely because of daffodils. In England, we’re fortunate to have some spectacular examples such as an area of North Yorkshire – Farndale, more specifically referred to as ‘Daffodil Valley,’ since there are wild daffodils growing in the woods here.
One of the most stunning and beautiful sights too, is Ullswater in the Lake District, probably the geographical context of the poem by Wordsworth.
Flowering meadow of the ‘Golden Triangle’ in Gloucestershire when it is in full bloom of the rare wild daffodils.
With the coming of the autumn planting season and plans for the next year’s garden, it might be worthwhile to include some of the daffodil bulbs in your options. It may not take a lot of work now, and yet you’ll get a wonderful show in return, year after year.