Naturalizing with Daffodils

Daffodils are a favorite for naturalizing in meadows, lawns and woodland edges, where they herald the start of spring in gardens around the world. Ever a visual delight, daffodils are colourful and carefree, and a wonderful choice for naturalized gardens. Read on for tips on how to plant a naturalized daffodil display in your landscape.

The Right Growing Conditions

The area for naturalizing daffodil bulbs must have good drainage—avoid soggy areas where bulbs will rot. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic and should receive at least 4–6 hours of daily sunlight. Look for sunny, open sites and avoid soggy, low-lying areas. Given the right growing conditions, daffodils will do great in rock gardens, slopes, under deciduous trees and even in grasslands or meadows.

How Many Bulbs to Plant 

The more the merrier! For maximum visual impact, we recommend starting with bulbs in bulk, planting by the dozens. Breck’s offers bulk flower bulbs for naturalizing, in bags with 75 bulbs, 100 bulbs or even more. The larger quantity purchased equates to a better value on the price of bulbs, and larger quantities of flowers will create a bigger, bolder impact.

When planning your space in detail, consider measuring out the area where you want to plant. For a naturalized look, and a naturalized planting where bulbs will have the space to multiple and spread, we recommend planting 3-5 bulbs per square foot.

Breck’s best daffodil bulbs for naturalizing include:

•    Giant Daffodils for Naturalizing
•    Giant Trumpet Daffodils for Naturalizing
•    Giant Yellow Jonquils for Naturalizing
•    3 Months of Mixed Daffodils
•    Daffodils for Naturalizing Mixture

Curious about which bulbs to plant along with your daffodils? Crocus, grape hyacinths, wild tulips and bluebells are just some of the beautiful naturalizing bulbs that you can plant alongside daffodils. In fact, the Dutch have a tradition of growing such naturalizing bulbs—known as stinzen plants—in the landscape. Learn more in our guide: Best Bulbs for Naturalizing

How to Plant for a Natural Look 

Since we're talking naturalizing, soldier-straight rows are not the way to go! Plant your daffodils in large drifts with a natural, organic feel. 

There are a few ways to do this:

•    Draw the boundaries of your planting area with a long string or a hose, laying out curved lines
•    Toss the bulbs in the air and plant them where they land—let nature decide the naturalizing pattern! 
•    Consider the sight lines from inside your house, as you approach your home or from your favourite places to sit outside. Plant clusters of flowers where you’ll be able to see and enjoy them.

Planting Tips

Plant bulbs in fall, before the first hard frost in your region. 

The best tools for planting lots of daffodil bulbs:

•    Use a hori hori knife, a spade, a shovel or a crowbar to create planting holes. When digging a planting hole for a naturalized area, you can keep the sod to cover up the hole. The daffodil will sprout through the ground in the spring. 
•    Be sure to plant bulbs at a depth 2–3 times their height (typically around 6" for daffodils). Loosening the soil to a depth of 12" will help encourage root growth.
•    If the soil is of poor quality, it's advisable to add compost to the soil before planting.
•    Sow the bulbs with the pointy end facing up, cover up with soil and/or sod, and water thoroughly. 
•    A little regular watering during the dry spells is enough to see that your daffodil bulbs in good health and producing glorious blooms.

For more detailed information, see our complete planting guides: How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs & Care for Daffodil Plants and How To Divide and Transplant Daffodil Bulbs 

Your naturalized daffodils require virtually no maintenance once they are established. Plant them the right way in the right spot, and they will return year after year, multiplying and spreading over time. You’ll have the luxury to sit back and revel in the breathtaking spectacle that is your very own landscape!

Learn More About Growing Daffodils 

•    Best Bulbs for Naturalizing
•    How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs & Care for Daffodil Plants
•    Daffodil Types & Bloom Times
•    How to Transplant Daffodil Bulbs
•    Enhancing Your Daffodil Display: The Art of Companion Planting
•    Shop Daffodil Bulbs