UGA Extension Office

2023 Dazzling Daffodils and other Spring-flowering Beauties

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Dutch Master

 

Dutch Master

Dutch Master is considered the Gold Standard of large-cup yellow daffodils. Introduced in 1938, it is one of the world’s most popular and most widely grown daffodils, bearing large yellow flowers up to 4 inches across on strong 18-inch stems, Dutch Master is a reliable selection for the South, naturalizing and returning year after year. It is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious “Award of Garden Merit” from the Royal Horticultural Society. Bloom Time: Early

 


Thalia

Thalia

Thalia has nodding white flowers, usually 2 to 3 per stem, with narrow petals and a delicate cup. It grows well in the South and is excellent for massing in woodlands or shrub borders. It is an old variety, introduced in 1916 from the Netherlands. Members of the American Daffodil Society rank Thalia as one of the top 25 Daffodils of all time. Bloom Time: Mid.


Denashaugh

Delnashaugh

Delnashaugh is like a ruffled petticoat of creamy white petals surrounding short apricot segments. Flowers are large, lightly fragrant, up to 4-inches across and borne on strong stems. They hold up well as cut flowers in a vase. Previous purchasers love this selection and report good success with it in the Athens area.

Bloom Time: Mid.


Pipit

Pipit

Pipit produces 2 to 3 sweetly scented yellow flowers on each stem. The center cups emerge yellow and fade to white, giving the flowers a striking two-toned appearance. Flowers are dainty, 3-inches across on strong stems. Pipit is one of the longest blooming daffodils, staying in bloom 3 to 5 weeks.  They also hold up well in a vase.  In 2001 it won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Bloom Time: Early – Mid.


Erlicheer

Erlicheer

 Erlicheer is a sweetly scented double daffodil that bears 6 to 12 small white flowers on each stem. The flowers resemble miniature roses or gardenias and are easily as fragrant.  It resembles paperwhite narcissus and can be grown in pots as well as landscapes. Despite its name, Erlicheer is late by daffodil standards, flowering in early March.  Introduced from New Zealand, it performs well in the southern U.S.

Bloom Time: Mid

 

Kedron

Kedron

Kedron is a striking and unusual addition to the landscape.  Its golden-orange petals surround an orange-red cup.  The flowers are richly fragrant and borne in multiples on strong 12- to 14 inch stems. They are a wonderful addition to rock gardens, perennial borders, and containers and are a good performer in the South. This daffodil was introduced by American hybridizer Willis Wheeler in the mid. 1900’s.

Bloom Time: Early – Mid.


Angel's Breath

Angel’s Breath (Miniature)

Angel’s Breath is an award-winning miniature daffodil and a show-stopper in the landscape. Each stem bears 2 to 3 nodding yellow flowers with reflexed petals that flare backward away from the bell-shaped cup.  Once established, this diminutive beauty sends up its grass-like foliage in fall and flower stalks in spring.  It’s a great addition to rock gardens, edges of perennial borders or containers.  Shortly after its introduction in 1998 it won the “Award of Garden Merit” from the Royal Horticultural Society and numerous“Best of Show” awards at flower shows.

Bloom Time: Early – Mid.


Specialty Bulbs


Snow Drops

Snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii)

Snowdrops are one of the earliest bulbs to flower, blooming in January before most other bulbs begin to emerge. Pendulous white petals with green accents hang down from nodding stems. Plants grow 10- to 12 inches tall and the foliage is silvery green. Plant Snowdrops beneath deciduous trees that drop their leaves in fall, allowing sunlight to reach the plants in winter. They are deer resistant, easy to grow and multiply from year to year.

Bloom Time: Early


Spanish Bluebells

Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Excelsior’)

Back by popular demand, Spanish Bluebells are reliable bulbs for naturalizing in shaded woodlands. The foliage emerges in February followed by fragrant bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers in mid. March. The flowers are borne on 14- to 18 inch spikes that rise above the foliage.  Plants multiply over time to provide dramatic displays.

Bloom Time: Late