Narcissus (daffodil) — Clump forming

Overview

Narcissus is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Narcissus, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Narcissus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Canary Is., China Southeast, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

About

Narcissus is a clump-forming bulb in the Amaryllidaceae, grown for its blooms produced February to April. It carries deciduous leaves that die back after flowering and forms lasting bulb clumps. It performs in full sun or partial shade and tolerates soils from sand to clay when free-draining. Suitable aspects include south-, west- and east-facing positions in both exposed and sheltered sites.

About the genus

Narcissus is a genus of predominantly spring flowering perennial plants of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. Various common names including daffodil, narcissus, and jonquil, are used to describe some or all members of the genus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Narcissus (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Narcissus (plant)

In the garden

Species in the genus Narcissus are bulbs native across a wide belt from the western Mediterranean into parts of central and western Asia and North Africa, with wild occurrences recorded from countries such as Spain and Portugal to Iran and Pakistan. Garden forms retain that geographic heritage in their ability to cope with a range of climates and soils. Plant Narcissus where they will receive full sun or some afternoon shade; south-, west- and east-facing aspects all suit them. They tolerate chalk, clay, loam or sand and accept acid, neutral or alkaline soils provided that drainage is adequate — a soil described as moist but well-drained or simply well-drained is appropriate. Exposure can be either sheltered or exposed, and the Royal H6 rating indicates they are very hardy in UK conditions. The foliage is deciduous, and plants are clump-forming, which allows bulbs to be left in place to build into small colonies. Narcissus works across the garden: use them in cottage and informal borders, city and courtyard planting, containers and patios, and for cutting. They are particularly effective when planted under roses and shrubs, and their flowers, produced February to April, are commonly used as cut blooms.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Narcissus

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Narcissus size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Bulbs
Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Native to: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Canary Is., China Southeast, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Narcissus

Propagation: Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer
Pest resistance: Slugs, Narcissus bulb fly, Narcissus eelworm, Bulb scale mite
Disease resistance: Narcissus basal rot, Narcissus leaf scorch, Daffodil viruses

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Narcissus?

Narcissus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Narcissus need?

Narcissus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.

Is Narcissus hardy in the UK?

Narcissus has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Narcissus?

Propagate by removing offsets as the leaves fade in early summer.

More in the Narcissus genus

Browse all Narcissus →