Top 10 Daffodils for Spring
Special to Road Trips for Gardeners
By the National Garden Bureau
Yellow trumpet daffodils are far and away the world’s most popular style of daffodils. But why stop there when the daffodil world has so much more to offer? According to the American Daffodil Society, there are 13 official daffodil flower types and more than 25,000 named cultivars.
So how do you decide which varieties to plant in your garden? Start with these 10 timeless favorites. All have proven to be vigorous, sturdy and reliably perennial. They include many different flower styles and bloom times, so you will get a full month of spring color every year.
(Move cursor over photo to see name)
#1 – Dutch Master or Yellow River
The iconic daffodil is big and yellow with a very large cup. For years, the go-to variety was King Alfred, but it’s no longer in cultivation. Instead, look for Dutch Master or Yellow River. Both have large, egg-yolk-yellow flowers with oversize trumpets. These classic yellow daffodils are great for massing and naturalizing. They bloom early and have a bold presence in the landscape.
#2 – Barrett Browning
This daffodil is easy to recognize: pure white petals surrounding a red-orange cup. A golden yellow halo encircles the base of the cup and adds to the glow. Barrett Browning is an early bloomer, an excellent naturalizer and it holds up well in warm climates.
#3. Goblet
This daffodil makes a perfect partner for Dutch Master or Unsurpassable. The large flowers have pure white petals surrounding a widely flared and ruffled yellow cup. A yellow halo at the base of the trumpet gives the blossoms an even sunnier look. Long-lasting and simply beautiful.
#4 – Orange Progress
Extra-large flowers and extra-bright colors make Orange Progress a great choice for landscaping. The flowers never go unnoticed. Deep yellow petals set off brilliant orange, tightly ruffled cups. The weatherproof blossoms have thick petals and lots of substance.
#5 – Pink Pride
Possibly the best pink daffodil around. The oversize flowers and have broad, thick, snow-white petals. Prominent, ruffled cups open apricot and age to coral pink. Pink Pride’s blossoms face outward and slightly upward, which makes them extra showy in the garden and great for cut flower arrangements.
#6 – Tahiti
One of the all-time greats of the daffodil world. Tahiti is a multiple award winner and has been consistently popular since it was first introduced back in 1956. Layers of rounded, golden yellow petals are interspersed with frilly, red-orange accents. Tahiti is a mid to late season daffodil that is long-lasting in the garden and is an excellent cut flower.
#7 – Cheerfulness
There are so many reasons to love this daffodil…starting with the name Cheerfulness! The double flowers are creamy white with yellow highlights and are borne in clusters of 3 to 4 blossoms per stem. Cheerfulness has long slender stems and narrow foliage. It looks fabulous in a vase and has a wonderful, gardenia-like fragrance. Blooms in late spring.
#8 –Golden Echo
An outstanding daffodil in every way. Golden Echo’s mid-size flowers and relatively compact height are perfect for flower beds and containers. The blossoms measure about 3” across and have long, lemon yellow trumpets, crisp white petals, and a striking yellow halo. They are fragrant and just the right size for cheery spring flower arrangements.
#9 – Jetfire
Jetfire is an energetic little daffodil that looks like it’s rushing full speed into spring. The 1” wide flowers have bright yellow petals that sweep back from their long orange cups. This variety’s 10” height makes it perfect for planting in the front of a flower bed, tucking under shrubs or growing in containers. Very long-lasting and doesn’t flop over.
#10 – Tête a Tête
This adorable miniature daffodil is among the longest-blooming, most versatile varieties you can grow. Tête a Tête blooms early and keeps on going for weeks. Great in flower beds, landscaping and in containers. The grassy foliage doesn’t compete with the flowers and it fades away relatively quickly. Available since 1949 and still in the top 10.
(All photos courtesy of National Garden Bureau)