My Garden in Daffodil Season, Week 1


I thought I'd do something a little different this month. April should be the height of my daffodil season, so I thought I'd take you on a walk through my garden each week, to see what's blooming. So, there will be less "talk" and more pictures. Be sure to check throughout April and May to see what's happening.

Daffodil season is a little late this year. Usually by April 1, there are lots of daffodils in bloom. But this year things are a little slow. The eranthis and galanthus are finished, as are the early crocus, but the hellebores are still in bloom. A few miniatures are in full bloom: 'Mite,' 'Camborne,' 'Bagatelle,' and 'Tete-a-Tete.' 'Small Talk' has been in flower for a week or more, and 'Swift Arrow,' planted behind it, has just opened.

But the standard-size blooms are just beginning. 'Prologue,' in a sheltered spot between two junipers and where the sun reflects off my driveway, has been in bloom for almost a week. It's just opening in a less sheltered spot. (See a photo in my article, "The Early Blooming Daffodils.") Most early season daffodils are all yellow, or at least have yellow petals, so 'Prologue' is doubly welcome since it adds another color.

There's a clump of N. pseudonarcissus which I've planted in a wooded area. You can often find this species growing around abandoned homesites; or you might find it in a few catalogs, listed as The Lent Lily. 'Dik Dik' is one of the earliest flowers with orange in the cup. Its small size makes it perfect for the front of the border or in a rock garden. 'Emperor's Waltz' has swept-back petals with a cup of orange. The older 'Jetfire' has similar, though deeper, coloring and is widely available.

It's supposed to rain over the weekend, and the plants could use a good drink. The stems now are a bit short, and the rain will help the stems lengthen, and improve the size of the blooms. Early in the season, all flowers are welcome, and I guess the favorite this week is 'Mite.' Soon, there will be lots from which to choose, and the favorite will change almost daily.

The copyright of the article My Garden in Daffodil Season, Week 1 in Daffodils is owned by Mary Lou Gripshover. Permission to republish My Garden in Daffodil Season, Week 1 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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