17 of the Best Daffodils to Brighten Up Your Garden

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There are hundreds of daffodils on the market. Here are our top picks for your garden.

01 of 17

Jetfire

Cyclamineus daffodils, daffodils

A showstopper when in bloom, 'Jetfire' offers pure golden petals with a contrasting orange trumpet.

Name: Narcissus 'Jetfire'

Bloom Season: Early spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil

Size: To 14 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's a reliable yellow and orange daffodil

02 of 17

Sentinel

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A fabulous pink-cup variety, 'Sentinel' offers a rich color contrast and strong stems.

Name: Narcissus 'Sentinel'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It offers a beautiful ruffled pink cup and performs well every year.

03 of 17

Thalia

'Thalia' daffodil Narcissus hybrids

One of our favorite daffodils of all time, 'Thalia' is an heirloom that offers beautifully scented white blooms. It's no wonder this special variety is sometimes called the orchid narcissus.

Name: Narcissus 'Thalia'

Bloom Season: Mid to late spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil

Size: 14 inches

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: The pure-white flowers are incredibly beautiful.

04 of 17

Quail

Daffodil Narcissus 'Quail'

This bold bloomer offers clusters of bright golden-yellow flowers.

Name: Narcissus 'Quail'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 14 inches tall

Zones: 5-9

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: Its blooms are boldly colored, long lasting, and fragrant.

05 of 17

Sorbet

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One of the split-cups, 'Sorbet' is a contrasting cream, yellow, and orange daffodil.

Name: Narcissus 'Sorbet'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: The color combination is gorgeous, and the split cup adds extra interest.

06 of 17

Barrett Browning

BHG104434

An old heirloom favorite, 'Barrett Browning' offers a small orange cup and pristine white petals.

Name: Narcissus 'Barrett Browning'

Bloom Season: Early to mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's an extra-reliable performer with boldly colored blooms.

07 of 17

Jack Snipe

RSS100525

A classic white-and-yellow variety, 'Jack Snipe' offers fragrant blooms.

Name: Narcissus 'Jack Snipe'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 10 inches tall

Zones:4-9

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It forms beautiful clumps in the garden and the color combination is wonderful.

08 of 17

Sovereign

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This outstanding yellow-orange daffodil has earned its regal name. The large flowers offer white petals and a bold split cup.

Name: Narcissus 'Sovereign'

Bloom Season: Mid to late spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 18 inches tall

Zones: 3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's one of the showiest daffodils around.

09 of 17

Romance

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It seems that nearly everyone loves pink-cup daffodils and 'Romance' doesn't disappoint. This charmer has rose-pink cups against beautiful white petals.

Name: Narcissus 'Romance'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's one of the best pink-cup varieties around.

10 of 17

Tahiti

Tahiti, Daffodil, Narcissus, Bulb, Spring Bulb, Landscape, Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Better Homes and Gardens, BHG.com

A variety of unmistakable beauty, 'Tahiti' bears soft-yellow flowers accented by a double cup flecked with red-orange.

Name: Narcissus 'Tahiti'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's particularly great for cutting and an extra-reliable variety in the landscape.

11 of 17

Canaliculatus

CTG510457

An adorable miniature daffodil (with a big name!), this variety offers clusters of white and yellow fragrant flowers on each stem. It's a particularly good choice for Southern gardeners.

Name: Narcissus 'Canaliculatus'

Bloom Season: Early to mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 6 inches tall

Zones: 6-10

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's fragrant and the little blooms are incredibly charming -- especially when cut.

12 of 17

Petit Four

Petit Four, Daffodil, Narcissus, Bulb, Spring Bulb, Landscape, Landscaping, Garden, Gardening, Better Homes and Gardens, BHG.com

An award-winning variety, 'Petit Four' offers white petals and a double apricot-pink trumpet. It's quite a showstopper!

Name: Narcissus 'Petit Four'

Bloom Season: Late spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: 'Petit Four' offers a great fragrance and beautiful, long-lasting flowers.

13 of 17

Hawera

CTG510463

An heirloom variety, 'Hawera' pops up and creates a carpet of soft yellow.

Name: Narcissus 'Hawera'

Bloom Season: Late spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil

Size: To 6 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It's a great reliable miniature variety.

14 of 17

Cheerfulness

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This little daffodil's name fits it perfectly. 'Cheerfulness' is an heirloom variety that offers double white and yellow blooms. It often bears several blooms to a stem.

Name: Narcissus 'Cheerfulness'

Bloom Season: Late spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: It has intricate double blooms with a sweet fragrance.

15 of 17

Merlin

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A small-cup beauty, 'Merlin' offers crisp white petals and a tiny yellow cup ringed in orange-red.

Name: Narcissus 'Merlin'

Bloom Season: Mid to late spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 16 inches tall

Zones:3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: The flowers last a long time and are a beautiful combination of colors.

16 of 17

White Lion

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Dramatic because of its double set of petals, 'White Lion' is a beautiful white daffodil with a white and yellow cup. As its name suggests, it's an extra-strong selection.

Name: Narcissus 'White Lion'

Bloom Season: Mid spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: To 18 inches tall

Zones: 3-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: Its double blooms are perfect for cutting where you can enjoy them up close.

17 of 17

February Gold

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This early-blooming gem offers clear golden-yellow blooms with long trumpets. It's a top-notch choice.

Name: Narcissus 'February Gold'

Bloom Season: Early spring

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil

Size: To 12 inches tall

Zones: 4-8

Native to North America: No

Why We Love It: One of the most reliable of daffodils, it's also great for extra early color in the garden.

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