Daffodil 'February Gold'

Sun

Full sun or partial shade; beneath deciduous trees is suitable if the leaves receive good spring light.

Water

Keep reasonably moist while roots, leaves and flowers are growing. Water during prolonged spring drought; little extra water is needed once the foliage has died back.

Soil

Well-drained soil that retains some moisture during growth; avoid waterlogged ground, especially during summer dormancy.

Height

0.75-1 ft (0.23-0.3 m)

Spread

0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m) per established clump

Flowers

Late winter to early spring, depending on climate; golden-yellow petals and a slightly deeper yellow trumpet, usually one flower per stem.

Foliage

Narrow, upright, grey-green leaves that yellow and die back after flowering.

Growth

Seasonal growth is quick; clumps expand gradually through bulb offsets.

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   0.5 ft (0.15 m)

2. After 1 year

   0.9 ft (0.27 m)

   full size

About 1 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

• Plant bulbs in autumn with their bases about 6 in (15 cm) deep, spacing them 3-4 in (8-10 cm) apart.
• Water after planting and during dry spells while leaves are growing; avoid keeping dormant bulbs wet.
• On poor soil, apply a balanced bulb fertiliser at the labelled rate when shoots emerge; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Leave foliage intact until it yellows naturally, usually at least six weeks after flowering.
• Lift and divide crowded clumps as foliage dies back if flowering has declined, then replant promptly.

Pruning. Remove faded flower heads, leaving the stems and leaves to feed the bulbs. Cut away foliage only when it has yellowed and withers easily; do not tie it into knots or mow it while green.

Autumn

Plant bulbs in well-drained ground or containers with drainage holes, then water thoroughly.

Late winter

Check emerging shoots and water containers if the compost is drying out.

Early spring

Enjoy the flowers; feed bulbs on poor soil and water during prolonged dry weather.

Spring

Remove faded flower heads but leave all green foliage intact.

Late spring to early summer

Allow leaves to yellow fully before cutting them back; lift and divide overcrowded clumps if needed.

Summer

Avoid routine watering of dormant bulbs and check that surrounding planting does not keep the soil waterlogged.

• Plant in loose drifts beneath deciduous trees for colour before the canopy fills out.
• Group near paths and entrances where the early flowers can be seen close up.
• Combine with emerging hostas or hardy geraniums, whose later leaves help conceal dying daffodil foliage.
• Use in pots with violas for an early-season display, allowing the daffodil leaves to mature afterward.
• Naturalise in lightly shaded grass that can remain unmown until the foliage has died back.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Cottage garden, Woodland, Traditional, Low-maintenance and Small-space.

Plant it with: Snowdrops, Crocuses, Hellebores, Violas, Hostas and Hardy geraniums.

Wildlife: Early flowers may be visited by bees, though they are not a major nectar source. Deer and rabbits usually avoid daffodils, but may occasionally damage them.

• Leaves but few flowers: improve spring light, stop cutting leaves early and divide overcrowded clumps after foliage yellows.
• Basal rot: discard soft or rotting bulbs, improve drainage and avoid replanting daffodils in affected soil.
• Narcissus bulb fly: larvae hollow out bulbs; remove and discard damaged bulbs and buy firm, healthy planting stock.
• Slugs and snails: protect emerging shoots and flowers by checking at dusk, removing pests and using locally approved controls if needed.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses if eaten; all parts contain poisonous alkaloids, with the highest concentrations in the bulbs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; large amounts can cause serious poisoning. Sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when handling cut stems or bulbs. Never store bulbs with onions or other food.

• Daffodil 'Tête-à-tête' (Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête')

  Usually shorter, with less strongly swept-back petals and often two or more flowers per stem; 'February Gold' usually carries one flower.

• Cyclamen-flowered daffodil (Narcissus cyclamineus)

  The species is generally smaller, with petals swept sharply backward against the flower stalk and a narrow, elongated trumpet; 'February Gold' has a larger, broader flower.

The cultivar name 'February Gold' refers to its golden flowers and early flowering season in mild Northern Hemisphere gardens.

Propagation. Separate offsets from established clumps as the foliage dies back and replant promptly. Offsets retain the cultivar's characteristics; seedlings do not reliably come true.

Accepted botanical name

Narcissus

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.