Daffodil Bulbs: Bright Yellow Trumpets That Return Every Spring
Daffodils (Narcissus) are spring-blooming perennial bulbs with yellow trumpet flowers that open in March and April on 12- to 18-inch stems. Daffodils are hardy in USDA zones 3–8, grow in full sun to part shade and are deer resistant. TN Nursery ships bare-root daffodil bulbs, Buy 1 Get 1 Free.
Daffodils belong to the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, and are native to meadows and woodlands of Europe and North Africa, with related species reaching western Asia. Gardeners also call them narcissus, jonquils (a name that properly belongs to one fragrant group) and Lent lilies, and the classic yellow trumpet daffodil is Narcissus pseudonarcissus and its garden hybrids. Each bulb sends up narrow, strap-shaped blue-green leaves and a hollow stem topped by a six-petaled flower with a central trumpet, or corona. Daffodils have bloomed in American dooryards since colonial times, and old homesites across Tennessee still light up with drifts of yellow every March.
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Botanical name: Narcissus (trumpet daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus and hybrids), amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
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Also called: daffodil plant, narcissus, trumpet daffodil, Lent lily, jonquil (common Southern name)
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Flower: bright yellow, six-petaled blooms with a trumpet-shaped corona, March–April, lasting 2–3 weeks
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Foliage: upright, strap-like green leaves 12–18 inches tall that fade back by early summer
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Best uses: borders, mass plantings, naturalized lawns and meadows, woodland edges, slopes, containers and cut flowers
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Wildlife value: early-season pollen and nectar for bees; deer and rabbits leave daffodils alone
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What ships: bare-root daffodil bulbs, Buy 1 Get 1 Free (2 plants), Buy 3 Get 2 Free (5), Buy 5 Get 3 Free (8) or 25 plants wholesale
When Do You Plant Daffodil Bulbs?
Plant daffodil bulbs in fall, from September through November, about 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes. Daffodil bulbs need 12 to 16 weeks of winter cold to bloom, so fall planting gives flowers the following March and April.
In the mild winters of zones 7 and 8, daffodil bulbs can go in the ground as late as December. Bulbs planted in late winter or very early spring still root and grow, and bloom fully the next spring. The table below shows the typical daffodil year.
| Season |
What daffodils do |
What to do |
| Fall (Sept–Nov) |
Bulbs grow roots |
Plant bulbs 6 inches deep |
| Late winter |
Green shoots appear |
Enjoy the first color |
| March–April |
Yellow flowers open |
Cut stems for bouquets |
| May–June |
Leaves feed the bulb |
Leave the leaves until they turn yellow |
| Summer |
Bulbs rest underground |
Plant summer perennials nearby |
How Deep Do You Plant Daffodil Bulbs?
Plant daffodil bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep, measured from the base of the bulb, with the pointed tip facing up. A good rule is to plant each daffodil bulb about 3 times as deep as the bulb is tall.
Space daffodil bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart for a full display, or scatter them in loose drifts of 8 to 25 for a natural look in lawns and under trees. A Buy 5 Get 3 Free pack of 8 daffodils fills a 2-by-2-foot clump at 6-inch spacing, and 25 plants make a 6-foot drift.
At our Altamont, Tennessee nursery, TN Nursery packs daffodils bare root, with no soil around the roots. Each daffodil plant arrives as a firm, healthy bulb, ready to plant.
- Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of sun in spring.
- Loosen the soil 10 inches deep and mix in compost.
- Set each bulb 6 to 8 inches deep, pointed end up.
- Cover with soil and water well to settle the bulbs.
- Top with 2 inches of shredded leaves or mulch.
Do Daffodils Come Back Every Year?
Yes. Daffodils are perennial bulbs that come back every spring for many years, and the clumps grow larger as each bulb forms new offset bulbs. Daffodils are one of the longest-lived spring bulbs in the garden.
The secret to daffodils that come back bigger each year is the foliage. After the flowers fade, leave the green leaves in place for about 6 weeks, until they turn yellow. The leaves make the food the bulb stores for next year's flowers. When a clump becomes crowded after several years, dig and divide it in early summer as the leaves fade, and replant the bulbs right away to create new drifts.
Are Daffodils Deer Resistant?
Yes. Daffodils are deer resistant and rabbit resistant, and deer, rabbits, voles and squirrels leave daffodil bulbs and flowers alone. Daffodils are one of the best spring bulbs for gardens near woods and fields.
Because the bulbs stay untouched year after year, daffodils are ideal for naturalizing along driveways, fence lines, slopes and woodland edges where wildlife visits often.
What Grows Well With Daffodils?
Ground covers, spring wildflowers and later-blooming perennials grow well with daffodils. Evergreen vinca minor makes a blue-flowered carpet that daffodils push up through, and Virginia bluebells bloom with them in spring shade. Plant clumps of orange daylily nearby so the daylily leaves fill in as the daffodil foliage fades. Drifts of daffodils under a redbud tree or a white dogwood create a classic Southern spring scene. Browse more in our perennial plants and deer resistant perennials collections.
Planting & Growing Information
Botanical Name: Narcissus (trumpet daffodil)
Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae
Ships: Bare-root bulbs
Planting Zone: 3–8
Height at Maturity: 12–18 inches
Spacing: 4–6 inches
Planting Depth: 6–8 inches
Sun or Shade: Full sun to part shade
Water Needs: Moderate in spring; dry summer rest
Soil: Well-drained loam, sand or clay loam; slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom Season: Early spring (March–April)
Flower Color: Yellow
Origin: Europe and North Africa
Care: Leave foliage until it turns yellow, about 6 weeks after bloom. Feed with compost or bulb food in fall. Divide crowded clumps every 4 to 5 years.
Plant Attributes: Deer and rabbit resistant, naturalizes, returns every spring, excellent cut flower, early pollinator food
Daffodil FAQ
When do daffodils bloom?
Daffodils bloom in early spring, usually March and April, and each flower lasts about 2 to 3 weeks.
Do daffodils spread?
Yes. Daffodils spread slowly as each bulb forms new offset bulbs, so a single daffodil becomes a full clump of blooms within a few years.
Do daffodils need full sun?
Daffodils bloom best with at least 6 hours of spring sun, and daffodils also grow well in part shade under deciduous trees, which leaf out after the flowers open.
How long do daffodils bloom?
A planting of daffodils blooms for about 2 to 3 weeks each spring, and mixing early and late varieties stretches the season to 6 weeks or more.
Can daffodils grow in containers?
Yes. Daffodils grow well in pots at least 12 inches deep; plant the bulbs 6 inches deep in fall and keep the pot in a cool, sheltered spot over winter.
What zones do daffodils grow in?
Daffodils grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8.
Grown and Shipped by TN Nursery
TN Nursery has grown hardy plants since 1959, more than 65 years of experience, and has supplied plants to major U.S. landmarks like the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery. At our Altamont, Tennessee nursery, we pack and ship daffodils to gardens across the country, from small cottage beds to large naturalized drifts. Each order travels bare root so the bulbs root in quickly and bloom next spring. Want to learn more first? Read Daffodil Bulbs: Planting & Care Guide, What You Need to Know About Daffodils and Planting Bulbs: Care and Guide on our garden blog.
