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It’s now March, the start of Spring, and you might have guessed that Daffodils are the third flower in our Flower of the Month series.
Daffodils are a joyful symbol of Spring. They are one of the first blooms to appear and have 6 petal-like tepals that surround a central trumpet shaped corona or crown.
This trumpet shape is what gives the Daffodil the title of the ‘announcer of Spring’ as they announce the arrival of Spring in a triumphant and trumpeting manner.
Daffodil is the common name for plants in the Narcissus genus. They are all flowering perennial plants that form from bulbs and usually flower between February-April, although some species do flower in Autumn.
You may have also heard daffodils being referred to as jonquils, however this the name for one group of daffodils, not all daffodils, as mentioned below.
Read on to find out more about this joyful Spring jewel, the meanings behind them as well as beautiful daffodil gift ideas.
Daffodils
There are around 50 species of daffodil, although there are many more hybrids. These species are divided into 13 groups depending on their botanical structure. You can find a breakdown of these groups (including which ones are jonquils) and their characteristics over on the RHS website here.
The bright yellow daffodil is probably the most commonly known, but daffodils come in all shades of yellow, white, orange and even pink.
Some species of daffodil have different coloured tepals from that of their corona as seen in the daffodil Narcissus 'Barrett Browning' pictured opposite.
Other's have multiple flower heads per stalk and some even have ruffled double corona like that of the one shown below.
Wild Daffodil
Unfortunately, the true wild daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, is now quite rare as habitat loss resulted in its decline during the 19th century. It can still be found growing wild in parts of south Devon, the Lake District and the Black Mountains in Wales.
If you want to help this species out, then why not add it to your own garden. You can find out more about it, its planting preferences and which nurseries sell them on the RHS website here.
Daffodil Flower Meanings
‘The sun shines when I’m with you’. Daffodils have long been associated with unrequited love as well as the sentiment that ‘you are the only one’. Sunshine, vitality and hope are also meanings linked to daffodils too. I think their cheery presence and bright faces help carry these sentiments.
Giving daffodils can also be a show of respect if you hold someone in high regard. And they are also said to be the perfect flower to gift as a new home present.
Daffodils are universally known and there are special meanings given to them in different cultures. Below are just some of the different meanings associated with daffodils worldwide.
In China: The daffodil is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. On the run up to Chinese New Year, daffodils are used to decorate homes and villages as the blooming of the flowers is said to bring good luck for the entire year ahead.
In Japan: The daffodil means mirth and joyousness.
While in France, the daffodil is a sign of hope.
In Wales, as well as being a symbol of St. Davids Day, a Welsh legend also claims that the person who finds the first flowering daffodil will be fortuned with gold in the year to come.
How to Grow Daffodils
Daffodils are quick and easy plants to grow and they suit any garden. They grow well in pots too with many small varieties to choose from so you really can fit them in, even in the smallest of spaces.
As mentioned above, daffodils grow from bulbs. These are ideally planted in September if planting straight into the ground but can be planted as late as early Spring if potting in containers.
When planting, make sure the bulbs are set in the soil at a depth that is three times the bulbs height.
This makes sure for sturdy growth that will see them happily bloom year after year.
Watering
If planting bulbs straight into the ground, they should only need watered in once after planting to help settle the soil. After that they should take care of themselves and not need extra watering unless an extended dry period in the weather is forecast.
Bulbs and plants potted in containers dry out more easily, so if you have bulbs in pots make sure to water them regularly to stop them drying out.
After flowering
After flowering, seed pods will form as the flowers die back. If you want to promote self-seeding in the garden, then leave the flowers be and let nature take its course. If you have potted bulbs, then you can deadhead them by cutting the dead flowers off the plant.
In both cases, leave the leaves! Let all the foliage die back naturally as this allows all the nutrients to be absorbed back into the bulb. Think of the bulb as the food store for next year’s flowers.
Beautiful Daffodil Gifts
Ceramic flowers by CeramicflowerShop
1. Daffodil Gifts & Stationery by The Butterfly and Toadstool
The Butterfly and Toadstool is my illustrated gifts and stationery brand.
I wanted this collection to show the journey of a daffodil from bulb to bloom, in all their dainty glory.
Designs are all originally painted in watercolours and items and packaging are all made with the environment in mind.
2. Stunning ceramic flowers by CeramicflowersShop
A beautiful gift idea for the home or garden, these stunning ceramic daffodils are perfect for any occasion. Buy them individually or as sets to make unique bouquets, these flowers will last you all year round.
Set on wire that can be bent or cut to size, these flowers can be arranged in a vase in the home or popped into pots in the garden to give an instant boost of colour.
3. Daffodil Earrings by Christin Ranger
Stunning Sterling Silver daffodil earrings, available as either hooks or studs.
Each flower has been handmade and is decorated with 18-carat gold for that extra pretty detail.
Items by Christin are gift boxed too so they really do make extra special gifts.
4. Rusty Daffodil Plant Stake by MrFoxsGarden
I'm so in love with these stunning works of art! Each piece is sculpted from steel to create these unique garden decorations. Handmade with beautiful details, they age with time and rust to perfection.
Made in a huge variety of shapes and sizes they can be used for staking plants or as eye-catching garden sculptures.
Which ones is your favourite?
And that's our March flower of the month, the cheerful Daffodil. This blog post is part of my Flower of the Month series that I will be sharing through 2021. You can take a look at our pervious post February Flower Of The Month here and find our April Flower of the Month here.
Thanks so much for reading,