Daffodils are a Sign of New Life

The daffodil, a popular flower, adds color and a sweet fragrance to any garden. This popular flower blooms during the first signs of spring and offer brightly colored blooms as a promise of warmer days ahead. Because the daffodil is one of the first of all flowers to bloom in spring, its meaning is rebirth and hope. It is known as the birth flower of March and symbolizes friendship.

About the Daffodil

The daffodil originated in Spain, Portugal, and Turkey, and was a popular flower among the Greeks and Romans. After many years, the daffodil became forgotten and thought of as a weed. It became popular again in Europe and the first settlers of the United States planted them on American soil.

Daffodils require little maintenance. The golden yellow flowers are trumpet-shaped with a darker shaded eye in the center. There are 50 species of daffodils with over 13,000 hybrids. Daffodils grow in clusters.

Daffodils only need to be planted once as they will grow year after year. With each year, more daffodils will bloom. Nature’s animals such as deer, rabbits and squirrels are not attracted to daffodils leaving them free to grow without interference.

Planting and Caring for Daffodils

Daffodils can be planted by themselves or with other flowers and shrubs. These flowers need sun for at least half of the day and require soil with a good drainage system. Daffodils should be planted in the fall allowing six to eight weeks for the roots to start growing before the ground freezes.

The daffodil bulb should be placed deep in the ground. Dig a hole that is three times the depth of the bulb. This will give the bulb plenty of room to grow. The bulb should be placed in the hole with the larger side down. Space each cluster of bulbs at least six inches apart.

Daffodils are independent flowers and do not need much care. They will need to be watered every day while in bloom. Once they are done blooming, they only need to be watered on a weekly basis. Fertilize the daffodils when planting, just before they bloom, and once again when they are done blooming for the year. Use a fertilizer that has a low amount of nitrogen.

Daffodil Days Give Cancer Patients Hope

The daffodil provides more than a colorful sign of spring. Each year, the American Cancer Society holds a fundraiser for the societies’ fight against cancer. The Daffodil Days provides adult cancer patients with bouquets of daffodils and stuffed bears to children undergoing cancer treatments. Proceeds from the program are put toward cancer education. For more information about Daffodil Days, visit the American Cancer Society.

References

Plow & Hearth. Growing Narcissus.

The Flower Expert. Daffodils.

Birth Flowers Guide. March Birth Flower.