Daffodils bloom in Genoa on the first day of spring.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
My friend Paul is a daffodil expert, not because of schooling, but because of experience after planting about 1,000 bulbs in the fall of 2020. He shared his observations with me to share with my readers.
Paul says daffodils are not only squirrel-resistant, but deer-resistant as well. The herd of 25 plus deer in Lakeview has, so far, left his flowers and leaves alone. Another benefit is daffodils multiply. Every five years or so, dig them up, replant and have three to five more plants for each one you originally planted. Personally, I just leave my bulbs alone. It’s one less garden task for this lazy gardener.
As for care, he reminds us not to cut the leaves after the plant has flowered until they turn brown and you can't stand seeing the ugly foliage any longer. This is when the plant is growing the new bulblets for the next spring. My neighbor Roni solves the unsightly foliage issue by tying her dying daffodil leaves into one tidy knot per plant, making for a more attractive managed look.
Another tip Paul shared is to consider going online to buy the bulbs. He buys his bulbs from K. van Bourgondien, but there are dozens of reputable bulb suppliers. But then, he also watches for specials at the end of season at the box stores. With that said, a good nursery, such as Greenhouse Garden Center, always carries high quality bulbs that will be good producers and I’m all for shopping locally.
Paul also wisely suggests when shopping for fall landscaping, the best time of year for planting, have a plan including a list of desired generic plant types on it such as “small shrub” for example. Then, see what is available in nurseries and stores. Bring with you a list of your top three plants in each category, shrubs, trees and perennials. Talk to the Nursery manager and offer to take some of the plants he/she is going to place in the dumpster. You can purchase a lot for less money thinking along the lines of “Let’s make a deal”. While I find this works well with perennials, buying end-of-season trees or shrubs that are stressed and tired may not yield quality growth for a few years.
Paul says he, his wife and their neighbors enjoy the wonder of a sea of smiling yellow drifting down their banks every spring.
This is my last article for 2021. I will be back in 2022. Enjoy your holidays and the winter!
JoAnne Skelly is associate professor & extension educator emerita for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.
