Daffadils and Winter

The first flowers that come up for me in spring are Daffodils. They came with the house and are located on the south side by the driveway. They actually come up before the crocuses, sometime mid to late March. Inevitably because they come up so early I know they will be covered in snow.

Now the Daffadils are up everywhere and with this latest nasty weather, they bring a reminder that yes Spring is here and is battling winter. You wouldn't know it with the weather we are having. So I thought I would take some time to highlight this harbinger.

Daffadils are in the Narcissus family. Named after the greek mythos Narcissus who fell in love with his own image in a pool of water, and was turned into a flower. The drooping head of the daffodil flower represents Narcissus staring at himself in the water.

All Narcissus varieties contain the alkaloid poison lycorine, mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves.

Daffadils should be planted in Fall. For a more formal look plant in row. For a more natural look dot your beds with groupings of three. The can also be naturalized in lawns.