Daffodil Labels and Plot Plans

I use the plot plan or the mapping method, regardless if I am labeling at the time of planting or not. I know a number of people who are just devastated because someone came by, and as a prank, removed all their labels leaving them totally in the dark as to what the daffodils are. Use blot plans and label if you must, however, with or without labels, with a plot plan, you can recover your daffodils.

Keeping Order

If you show daffodils, maintaining the correct names is "critical". It is important to keep "order" in the planting to avoid confusion during digging, and embarrassment during shows.

Labeling

The American Daffodil Society Journal prints information on labeling from time to time. One person I know uses what they call, a "fool-proof" labeling system. I'm sorry, and I don't intent to insult anyone, but to me, the whole concept of relying on labeling is foolish. I started my daffodil career about nine years ago, and I do put out labels. I write the variety name and RHS divisional codes on a ten inch long plastic label that I keep in alphabetical order that matches my daffodil planting.

Each spring, when the show season arrives, I put out the labels so that it will be easy for me to collect flowers and write the names and RHS codes on the back stem. I take the name and the RHS codes off the label, and put them on each flower as it is collected. When the show season is over I take up the labels and put them back into alphabetical order, put a rubber band around each separate bed with a paper label and store them in my daffodil box until next year. The only time I leave labels out, is for those bulbs that are to be dug that year. During digging, I take up all additional labels. I have no other use for labels.

I make a reliable plot plan, therefore, I don't lose daffodils because someone pulled up my labels. I have lost daffodils to thieves that have come to my garden and dug daffodils during the blooming season. They will usually dig a whole row of a named variety. I have lost such daffodils as Homestead, Gold Convention, Rory's Glen, Hot Toddy (for the life of me, I don't understand the theft of Hot Toddy), Hambledon, etc., to name a few, while green or in bloom. I, therefore, have instituted a substitution system for labeling daffodils. The next one that steals Homestead from my garden may just get the old fashion B&E for their troubles.

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