Hoop petticoat daffodil

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; good light during winter and spring is important.

Water

Keep moderately moist while leaves are growing, then allow drier conditions during summer dormancy. Avoid waterlogged soil.

Soil

Well-drained sandy or gritty soil with some organic matter; slightly acidic to neutral soil is a good choice.

Height

0.3-0.7 ft (0.1-0.2 m)

Spread

0.25-0.5 ft (0.08-0.15 m) per established clump

Flowers

Late winter to spring, depending on climate; yellow flowers with broad, flared trumpets and very narrow outer petals.

Foliage

Fine, dark green, grasslike leaves emerge in the cool season and die back after flowering.

Growth

Moderate; gradually forms small clumps through bulb offsets.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Low allergen

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

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

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

1. Planting day

   0.5 ft (0.15 m)

2. After 1 year

   0.5 ft (0.15 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

Moderate

• Plant bulbs in autumn about 3-4 in (8-10 cm) deep and 2-3 in (5-8 cm) apart.
• Water during active growth if rainfall is scarce, but never leave pots standing in water.
• Apply a light bulb fertilizer as leaves emerge if the soil is poor.
• Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry in summer; avoid sites watered frequently for summer bedding.
• Lift and divide crowded clumps after the foliage has yellowed, then replant promptly.

Pruning. Remove spent flowers before seed pods develop unless you want seedlings. Leave all foliage until it has yellowed naturally; do not tie or braid the leaves.

Autumn

Plant bulbs in a sunny, freely draining position and water them in.

Winter

Check that emerging foliage has moisture but that beds and containers drain freely.

Late winter

Feed lightly as growth develops if the soil is poor.

Spring

Enjoy the flowers, then remove fading blooms if seed is not wanted.

Late spring

Let leaves yellow naturally; divide crowded clumps as they enter dormancy.

Summer

Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry and avoid routine irrigation over their planting site.

• Plant small groups beside paths or steps so the low flowers can be viewed closely.
• Tuck bulbs into sunny rock gardens among low, non-spreading alpine plants.
• Grow in shallow containers with excellent drainage for a close-up spring display.
• Scatter through short, open grass that can remain uncut until the leaves die back.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, Dry gravel garden, Alpine rock garden, Mediterranean, Small-space and Traditional.

Plant it with: Species crocuses, Reticulated irises, Grape hyacinths, Spring snowflakes and Creeping thyme.

Wildlife: Flowers can offer pollen and nectar to early insects, although visits vary with weather and local pollinators. Deer and rabbits usually avoid the toxic foliage and bulbs.

• Bulb rot: prevent standing water, improve drainage and discard soft or rotting bulbs.
• Narcissus bulb fly: larvae hollow out bulbs; remove affected bulbs and buy firm, healthy planting stock.
• Slugs and snails: protect emerging shoots and flowers with hand-picking or a suitable iron phosphate bait used according to its label.
• Leaves but few flowers: improve light, avoid removing green foliage and divide overcrowded clumps after the leaves yellow.

Toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses. All parts are poisonous, especially the bulbs; eating them can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, with severe poisoning possible after larger amounts. Sap can irritate skin. Never store bulbs with onions or other food, and seek medical or veterinary advice promptly after ingestion.

• White hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus cantabricus)

  Has a similar flared trumpet and narrow outer petals, but its flowers are white rather than yellow.

• Wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)

  Has six broad, conspicuous outer petals around a narrower trumpet, rather than the tiny outer segments and wide hoop-shaped trumpet of hoop petticoat daffodil.

The common name describes the flower's broad, flared trumpet, which resembles a hoop-supported petticoat.

Propagation. Separate bulb offsets when foliage has yellowed and replant promptly. Seed can be sown fresh in a deep, freely draining pot, but seedlings usually take several years to flower and may differ from the parent.

Accepted botanical name

Narcissus bulbocodium

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

France, Portugal and Spain.

Measured

Soil pH 4.5 to 5. Average height 14 cm.

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