Daffodil 'Thalia'

Sun

Full sun or partial shade; beneath deciduous trees, choose a position that receives plenty of light in spring.

Water

Keep soil moderately moist during active growth and flowering. Once the leaves die back, bulbs prefer drier conditions rather than frequent summer irrigation.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Avoid waterlogged ground, especially during dormancy.

Height

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Spread

0.25-0.5 ft (0.08-0.15 m) per bulb; established clumps gradually widen.

Flowers

Mid- to late spring; white, lightly fragrant flowers with reflexed petals and small white cups. Timing varies with climate.

Foliage

Narrow, strap-shaped, grey-green leaves emerge in late winter or spring and die back after flowering.

Growth

Moderate; flowers from established bulbs each spring and slowly forms larger clumps.

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Cold hardy
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

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

   1.1 ft (0.32 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.2 ft (0.38 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

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant bulbs in autumn, with their bases about 6 in (15 cm) deep and bulbs 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart.
• Water after planting, then water during spring growth if rainfall is insufficient; do not leave bulbs in saturated soil.
• In poor soil, apply a balanced bulb fertiliser as shoots emerge, following the label rate.
• Leave foliage exposed to light until it turns yellow; do not tie it into knots.
• Lift and divide congested clumps after the foliage yellows if flowering has declined.
• In hot, nearly frost-free climates, check local suitability before planting; insufficient winter chilling can reduce repeat flowering.

Pruning. Remove faded flowers, including the developing seedpods, but keep stems and leaves while they remain green. Cut foliage down only once it has yellowed naturally, usually at least six weeks after flowering.

Autumn

Plant bulbs in well-drained soil and water them in.

Late winter

Check emerging shoots and keep the soil from drying out during prolonged dry weather.

Early spring

Feed bulbs growing in poor soil and keep nearby weeds under control.

Mid- to late spring

Remove spent flowers while leaving green foliage intact.

Early summer

Remove fully yellowed foliage; lift and divide overcrowded clumps if needed.

Summer

Avoid heavy irrigation over dormant bulbs and mark their position before digging nearby.

• Plant loose drifts beneath deciduous trees, where spring light reaches the bulbs before the canopy closes.
• Repeat small groups through a white border with hellebores and white-flowered perennials.
• Thread bulbs between hostas or hardy geraniums, whose expanding leaves help conceal dying daffodil foliage.
• Grow in containers with drainage holes for close views of the nodding flowers; protect pots from severe freezing in cold regions.
• Naturalise in lightly shaded grass that can remain unmown until the leaves have yellowed.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Cottage garden, Woodland, White garden, Romantic rose garden and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Hostas, Hardy geraniums, Siberian bugloss, Lungwort and Grape hyacinths.

Wildlife: Flowers may receive visits from bees, but this cultivar is not a dependable major nectar source. Deer and rabbits usually avoid it because of its toxic compounds.

• Poor flowering: overcrowding, deep shade, early leaf removal or insufficient winter chilling can be responsible; divide crowded clumps, improve spring light and let foliage die naturally.
• Bulb rot: soft bulbs often follow waterlogging; discard affected bulbs and improve drainage before replanting.
• Narcissus bulb fly: larvae hollow out bulbs, causing weak growth or failure to emerge; remove and destroy affected bulbs and buy firm, healthy replacements.
• Slugs and snails: these may damage emerging shoots and flowers; inspect during damp evenings and use barriers or an approved bait where needed.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses if eaten. All parts contain poisonous alkaloids, especially the bulbs; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, with serious heart or neurological effects after larger amounts. Sap can irritate skin. Never store bulbs with onions or other food.

• Daffodil 'Hawera' (Narcissus 'Hawera')

  Also has nodding flowers with swept-back petals, but its flowers are pale yellow and the plants are usually shorter.

• Angel's tears daffodil (Narcissus triandrus)

  The species has similar nodding flowers, usually cream to pale yellow, and is generally smaller; 'Thalia' has larger, white flowers.

• Daffodil 'Ice Follies' (Narcissus 'Ice Follies')

  Usually bears one large, outward-facing flower per stem, with broad white petals and a wide cup that opens yellow and fades cream, rather than several nodding white flowers.

Thalia is the name of the Greek Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry.

Propagation. Separate offsets from established clumps after the foliage has yellowed, then replant promptly or store briefly in a cool, dry, ventilated place until autumn. Division preserves the cultivar; seedlings will not reliably match 'Thalia'.

Accepted botanical name

Narcissus

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