When it comes to autumn planting, choosing the right variety of daffodil bulbs can make a significant difference in your spring garden. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones will best suit your needs and thrive in your garden environment. The judges have weighed in on the top performers, sharing their expert insights on the best daffodils to plant during the autumn season. These selections have been chosen based on their resilience, vibrant colour, and blooming potential, ensuring a spectacular display come springtime. Whether you're looking to brighten up a border or create a stunning focal point, these daffodils 5 Star Daffodils are sure to impress.

What are we looking for in a when Daffodil?

  • Resilience: Bulbs that are known to withstand various weather conditions and are less susceptible to diseases when autumn planting.
  • Colour Variety: Daffodils that offer a range of vibrant and striking colours to enhance the visual appeal of your garden.
  • Bloom Duration: Varieties with a long blooming period extend the attractiveness of your garden through the spring.
  • Size and Shape: The bulbs should be the correct size to give success. Cheaper smaller bulbs have more chance of failing.
  • Fragrance: If scent is important to you, select daffodils that are noted for their pleasant aroma to add an olfactory element to your garden.
  • Height: height can dictate whether it's suitable for containers and how it will look in the border. There are several options from dwarf 10cm to tall 60cm.

How did I choose these Daffodil bulbs?

  • Daffodil Expertise: With years of experience in mail-order plants and flowers as an owner, grower, and product selector, I have cultivated a deep understanding of various daffodil varieties, enabling me to expertly recommend the best options to our customers for your autumn planting.
  • Collaborative Insights: I have engaged in fruitful discussions with fellow horticulturists over the years, gaining valuable insights into the highest-performing daffodil varieties.
  • Awareness of New Breeds: I stay updated on the latest resilient and visually captivating daffodil breeds to ensure our offerings remain exceptional.
  • Commitment to Excellence: I recommend only top selections, grounded in proven garden success and professional evaluations, to guarantee quality for our customers.

Products

Daffodil Mixed Bulbs Narcissus 'Citrus Sorbet' - 25 pack

"Bring Vibrancy Home with Every Bloom!"

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One of my favourite spring bulbs and a proven performer, this plant features charming, fragrant flowers that consistently receive excellent reviews. It looks stunning both in containers and along borders.

  • Variety and colours: The Daffodil (Narcissus) ‘Citrus Sorbet’ collection offers a mix of dwarf and large trumpet varieties in beautiful shades of white, yellow, and blush, with both double and single-flowered options.
  • Fragrance: Enjoy the iconic scent of daffodils that adds a lovely touch to gardens, patios, and cut flower arrangements.
  • Uses in Garden: Perfect for garden borders, patio pots, or even in grass, these hardy bulbs adapt well to any garden setting.
  • Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and require minimal care, ideal for gardeners of all experience levels. Once planted they will be around for years.
  • Size and Quality: -Size 12/14 for larger, better blooms.
  • Quantity: Sold in packs of 25 and 50
  • Height: up to 45cm high. Spread up to 20cm
  • Seller: From Thompson & Morgan, with over 150 years of horticultural experience and a reputation for quality.

Tete A Tete Miniature Daffodils -100 pack

"Proven Performer for decades since first introduced and still going strong"

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First introduced to the UK in 1949 by the renowned British daffodil breeder Alec Gray, these flowers became a significant success during my time at Jersey Plants Direct, where we sold hundreds of thousands of them. Their performance and low complaint rate consistently ranked among the best. They are perfect for both containers and garden lawns alike. Highly recommended.

  • Variety and colours: Narcissus Tete-a-Tete, is famed for its robust performance and bright vibrant yellow flowers.
  • Fragrance: While not overpowering, the subtle scent of Tete-a-Tete daffodils adds a refreshing touch to garden spaces, perfectly complementing their golden charms.
  • Uses in the BritishGarden: These daffodils are versatile and well-suited for the front of borders, rockeries, or patio pots. Ideal for creating a cheerful landscape, they thrive in a variety of garden settings, from sunny spots to partially shaded areas. Ideal for small pots.
  • Low Maintenance: Easy to nurture and incredibly resilient, Tete-a-Tete daffodils promise reliability with minimal effort. Their caring demands are straightforward, making them perfect for both novice and seasoned gardeners.
  • Size and Quality: Provided as 8/10cm bulbs,
  • Height: Up to 20cm with a spread of 10cm, ensuring a compact yet striking presence in any garden or landscape.
  • Seller: Offered by the Great British Bulb Company. It's fairly new to me but their reviews look good.

King Alfred Yellow Trumpet Daffodil- 3kg approx 35 bulbs.

"Awaken Your Garden with Timeless Blooms!"

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Introduced over a century ago by a breeder from Devon, this daffodil remains one of the most popular varieties available today. Its stunning golden-yellow flowers evoke the essence of spring, creating a breathtaking display when allowed to naturalize and form large drifts. Be sure to plant plenty so you can also enjoy some in a vase. This proven performer continues to delight garden enthusiasts. Supplied by Jamieson Brothers who were a reliable honest quality supplier I dealt successfully with for many a year.

  • Variety and Colours: King Alfred. Stunning Yellow/Gold trumpet flowers
  • Fragrance: None
  • Uses in Garden: These large bulbs are excellent for creating uniform borders, planting rings around small trees, or lining grass verges with bright golden yellow. They also flourish in pots and containers and make great cut flowers providing versatility in garden design.
  • Low Maintenance: King Alfred daffodils are resilient and capable of thriving with minimal effort. They are a great option for both seasoned gardeners and beginners, requiring only simple planting techniques and basic upkeep.
  • Size and Quality: 3kg pack with approx 35 bulbs. Bulb size 10/12
  • Height: Up to 45cm (17.7 inches), creating a striking presence in any garden setting.
  • Seller: Available from Jamieson Brothers, a well-respected Scottish gardening brand established in 1895, known for its high-quality gardening products and solutions. With a longstanding reputation, they cater to both amateur gardeners and large-scale horticultural operations.

Daffodil Dutch Master - 50 pack

"A fantastic value pack for gardening on a budget, offering an abundance of vibrant spring colours".

Daffodil Dutch Master - 50 pack

"A fantastic value pack for gardening on a budget, offering an abundance of vibrant spring colours".

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The Dutch Master daffodil, a classic flower bulb, has been cherished by gardeners since its introduction. Often compared to the original 'King Alfred,' it features a vibrant yellow hue and sturdy form. Bred in the Netherlands, these daffodils have been a staple for enthusiasts due to their reliability and stunning appearance. They symbolize quality spring blooms and Dutch horticultural expertise. With their durability and ease of growth, Dutch Master bulbs are a smart choice for gardeners adding colour to their spaces. Their golden blooms excel in mass planting, borders, and cut flowers. The affordable 50-pack is ideal for larger projects or community gardening, ensuring a vibrant display each spring.

  • Variety and Colours: The Dutch Master Daffodil bulbs are a classic choice, featuring stunning large golden yellow blooms that create a bright and cheerful appearance in any garden setting.
  • Fragrance: These daffodils don't offer a notable fragrance, focusing their appeal primarily on their vibrant visual display.
  • Uses in Garden: Dutch Master Daffodils are ideal for enhancing flower beds, garden borders, and patio pots. They thrive around tree bases and in rock or woodland gardens, while their vibrant blooms also make stunning cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
  • Low Maintenance: These bulbs are ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. They require minimal care once planted, consistently returning each spring with renewed vigour.
  • Size and Quality: Supplied in a convenient 50-pack, these bulbs are of high quality, ensuring robust growth and a spectacular floral display every year.
  • Height: Reaching up to 40 cm (15.7 inches) in height, Dutch Master Daffodils offer an impressive presence within the garden landscape.
  • Seller: Carbeth Plants is a reputable Scottish company with over 20 years of horticultural experience, offering quality and affordable plants. They are a trusted source for gardening enthusiasts, known for reliable products and efficient delivery, despite a lower sales volume.

Pheasants Eye (narcissus poeticus var) x 5 pack

"Elevate Your Garden with Timeless Elegance."

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The Pheasant’s Eye Daffodil holds a special place in my heart for its unmatched elegance and timeless beauty. It is alleged it was one of the first cultivated varieties and associated with the Greek Legend Narcisuss. Well, who knows either way it's a beautiful flower that will naturalise well.

  • Variety and Colours: The Pheasant's Eye Daffodil, also known as Narcissus Poeticus Recurvus, features a distinct appearance with pristine white petals, a small yellow cup, and a delicate red rim. This classic variety has been cherished for over 100 years and continues to captivate gardeners worldwide.
  • Fragrance: This delightful daffodil is celebrated not only for its beauty but also for its captivating fragrance, making it an exquisite addition to any garden keen on aromatic appeal.
  • Low Maintenance: Ideal for gardeners seeking simplicity, Pheasant’s Eye Daffodils require minimal care. Once established, they naturalise beautifully, forming lush clusters that enhance the garden's elegance year on year.
  • Size and Quality: Supplied as 5 high-quality bulbs, these daffodils boast a bulb size of 12/14, promising robust growth and a stunning floral display. Perfect for naturalising, they offer both visual and olfactory pleasure.
  • Height: Capable of reaching up to 40 cm (15.7 inches), they create a striking presence that complements any garden design.
  • Seller: Although specific sellers on Amazon need further exploration, Schone bulbs are an option. I have not used them before and will be testing them out to find out more

Aother favourite of mine I have not found a supplier on Amazon I am familiar with so will be doing some more research and looking to affiliate with a new supplier. However, it is one of my favourites.

However, you could try Schone bulbs online on Amazon through the link below and be sure to give me some feedback.

Judges Verdict

When it comes to autumn planting, choosing the right daffodil varieties can greatly influence your spring garden. With many options available, it can be challenging to select the best ones for your needs and garden conditions. Experts have shared their top picks for autumn planting, focusing on resilience, vibrant spring colour, and blooming potential to ensure a stunning display. Whether you want to enhance a border or create a striking focal point, these daffodils will impress. For optimal growth, plant daffodil bulbs in well-drained soil with full sun or partial shade. Planting in early autumn will yield vibrant blooms as early as March. You can also pair these bulbs with spring flowers like hyacinths, snowdrops, and tulips for added colour. Whether in containers, borders, or scattered across your lawn, the right daffodils and companion bulbs will create a spectacular spring display, thriving in pots or larger areas.

FAQS

How are bulbs sized and what is the benefit?

Bulbs are typically sized based on their circumference, measured in centimetresranunculus. Larger bulbs generally indicate more mature plants, which often results in more robust growth and a higher number of blooms. The sizing can affect the flowering potential and the quality of the blooms, with bigger bulbs usually providing a more impressive display. Choosing appropriately sized bulbs for your garden can enhance the overall aesthetic and vitality of your spring display. Additionally, larger bulbs are often more resilient, adapting better to various soil and climate conditions, thus making them a wise investment for any garden enthusiast.

When is the best time to plant daffodil bulbs for spring colour?

It is ideal to plant most daffodils in early autumn, around September to November, allowing them to establish roots before the winter sets in. This timing ensures that they will bloom robustly in spring, providing a spectacular display. Autumn planting allows the bulb to get enough cold days to initiate flowers known as vernilisation.

How deep should daffodil bulbs be planted?

Daffodil bulbs should be planted twice the depth of the size of the bulb. Generally, this means about 10-15 cm deep, ensuring they are well-protected and can thrive as they grow.

Can daffodils be planted in containers and pots?

Yes, planting daffodils in containers is fine, making them a versatile option for balconies, patios, or any small garden space. Ensure the pots have good drainage and place them in a location with full sun or partial shade.

What companion plants work well with daffodils for a spring garden?

Daffodils pair beautifully with other spring-flowering bulbs such as hyacinth bulbs, tulips, snowdrops and early crocuses. These combinations create a diverse and colourful display that brightens any garden setting. Other Flower bulbs and plants are iris, ranunculus, pansies, primroses, bellis, myositis, and violas.

How should I care for daffodils after they have flowered?

Allow the foliage to die back naturally after blooming, as this helps the bulbs store energy for the next growing season. Avoid cutting the leaves until they have turned yellow and withered away, typically in late spring to early summer.

Can daffodils be planted in grass or the lawn?

Absolutely, daffodils bulbs can be naturalised in grass or lawns for a natural and charming display. It's important to avoid mowing the area until after the foliage has withered, to ensure the bulbs store enough energy for the following year's blooms.

Do Daffodils require sunlight or shade?

Daffodil bulbs thrive best in a location that receives full sunlight for at least six hours a day. However, they can tolerate partial shade, especially in regions with hot spring temperatures. Ensuring they receive adequate sunlight will promote healthier growth and more vibrant blooms. In shadier spots, daffodils may grow but could produce fewer flowers and become leggy over time.

Why are daffodils an Autumn Planting and not Spring?

Daffodils are planted in autumn because the bulbs need a cold dormancy period to prepare for spring blooming. Planting in cooler months helps the bulbs establish their root systems before winter, ensuring they have enough energy for spring growth. This cold phase triggers the processes within the bulb that lead to flower development. If planted in spring, the bulbs won't experience a sufficient cold period, resulting in poor flowering. Thus, autumn planting sets the stage for vibrant blooms come spring.

Will my daffodil bulbs flower earlier with an early autumn planting?

Planting daffodil bulbs earlier in autumn can influence their flowering time and success in spring. By giving the bulbs a head start, they have more time to establish strong roots before winter, leading to better growth. However, the actual flowering time mainly depends on late winter and early spring weather, including temperature and daylight length. While early autumn planting helps prepare the bulbs, it doesn't guarantee they will bloom significantly earlier than usual, as these external factors still play a key role.