Daffodil, Double Hybrids

Design Details

Like many spring bulbs, double daffodils make the best garden statement when planted in large drifts. Try grouping 10 to 20 bulbs in a planting bed, partnering them with grape hyacinth Muscari or species tulips. Repeat these drifts and planting combinations throughout the landscape for a cohesive look that springs up with bright color at the beginning of the growing season.

Check out our favorite daffodils here.

Daffodil Double Hybrids Care Must-Knows

Daffodils grow best in organically rich, well-drained soil. (Bulbs quickly rot in wet, poorly-drained soil.) They don't do well in irrigated landscape beds, but raised beds are a plus when the soil has been amended to fit daffodils' needs.

The site should receive at least six hours of direct sun a day throughout this flower's springtime bloom season. Daffodil flowers typically follow the sun, so make sure any shade is at the back of the site to get forward-facing flowers. When considering where to plant daffodils, don't overlook the ground beneath the canopy of deciduous trees. Much of daffodils' growth is completed before deciduous trees leaf out in spring, making that ground prime for underplanting. Bulbs there may require additional watering though, because the tree roots can rob the soil of moisture.

Plant daffodils in fall after the soil cools slightly, but before it freezes. As a rule of thumb, each bulb should be planted two to three times as deep as the bulb's diameter (most are planted 4 to 6 inches deep). Spacing also depends upon bulb size. In general, plant the bulbs 4 to 10 inches apart. Small bulbs can be closer together; large bulbs go farther apart. Don't fret if spacing makes the planting bed look bereft of bulbs; they'll fill in the gaps as they naturalize over the years.

Make quick work of planting drifts of bulbs by digging a large trench and scattering several bulbs in the planting hole—making sure the pointy ends face up. Cover with soil, then water well to get rid of air pockets. Step back and await an avalanche of color in the spring.

Design a gorgeous spring bulb garden using these tips.

Postbloom Care

After flowers fade, daffodils' green strappy foliage channels energy into replenishing resources in the underground bulbs. Leave foliage in place until it withers and turns yellow—about eight weeks. Then pull up the loose foliage and toss it in the compost pile. If the plant quantity and/or bloom quality has diminished since the initial planting, divide the clumps by digging up the bulbs after the foliage dies back.

More Varieties of Daffodil

'Obdam' daffodil

Narcissus 'Obdam' is a fully double sport (mutation) of 'Ice Follies' daffodil. The fragrant white blooms resemble nodding peonies. It blooms in mid- to late spring on stems 16-18 inches tall. Zones 3-9

'Mary Copeland' daffodil

This variety of Narcissus is an heirloom from 1913 that bears double white flowers with orange and yellow in the center. It grows 20 inches tall. Zones 4-7

'Golden Ducat' daffodil

Narcissus 'Golden Ducat' blooms in mid- to late season with whorls of pure yellow petals. This double daffodil grows 12-16 inches tall. Zones 3-9

'Tahiti' daffodil

This type of Narcissus bears a yellow and orange-red cup that radiates from the center of the golden yellow flower. It blooms in early to mid-spring and grows 20 inches tall. Zones 3-8

'Rip van Winkle' daffodil

Narcissus 'Rip van Winkle' is a miniature double daffodil that's sometimes called 'Plenus'. Its twisted, whorled yellow petals look a bit like an exploding star or a dandelion sparkler. This heirloom variety from 1884 grows 6-8 inches tall. Zones 3-9

'Petit Four' daffodil

This Narcissus selection features a frilly double cup of apricot pink with white petals in late spring. The colors show best in a partially shady planting site. The plant grows 16 inches tall. Zones 3-8

'White Lion' daffodil

Narcissus 'White Lion' offers ruffled double ivory and golden yellow blooms that look like froth bubbling from the center of the cup. The plant grows 20 inches tall and blooms in mid-spring. Zones 3-8