Daffodil Growing & Showing

Fall is the time to plant daffodils and must bulbs. It's that time when the soil has to be dug and refreshed like last months article, and time for the bulbs to go down.

Oct 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

It's time for daffodil planting in my zone 7 almost zone 6, and that means preparing daffodil beds. Daffodils like sunshine, and rich well drained soil that has a high organic content.

Sep 15, 2001 - Clay Higgins

Historic Daffodils are not only from out past, but are living and providing beauty in our gardens today.

Aug 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

July, the hotest month in my state of Maryland, is also the month for digging daffodil bulbs. The daffodil foliage has died back or is dying back and going dormant as it is now six to eight weeks after the bloom period. As the daffodils go to their dormant period, it's the best and safest time to dig and thin daffodils.

Jul 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

It's that time of year again, messy daffodil foliage is here. Is there anything we can do? How about companion planting? Here's some answers.

Jun 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

Peter Ramsay and his World Daffodil Council Committee (Craig Broadfield, Clay Higgins, Tony James, Nancy Tackett) have produced a schedule for a "virtual daffodil show" to be placed on Internet. The show is proposed to be implemented on 1 July.

May 17, 2001 - Clay Higgins

I keep getting surprises in my daffodil garden each week. Two weeks beyond my normal daffodil season, I still have some beauties in the garden.

May 10, 2001 - Clay Higgins

The last day of April was a wonder in my garden. Usually at this time of the year, the daffodils are a dead headed scene. This year, daffodils are late and so is my garden.

May 3, 2001 - Clay Higgins

My mid season daffodils should be gone, but on April 19th and 20th, I was showing them in New Jersey and New York as my home show in Washington DC was long gone, and there was nothing for me to show.

Apr 26, 2001 - Clay Higgins

The end of the thrid week in April saw sunshine and warm weather. With that pleasant weather the daffodil came popping our of the ground and into their glory. Some very brilliant pictures came about. Take a look at this article and see.

Apr 19, 2001 - Clay Higgins

I don't have much in the way of daffodils yet. I keep hoping and hoping. My prospects for a daffodil show where I have to stage my flowers and put them on the show bench on April 14th doesn't look very bright. Strange, late season this Spring of the year 2001.

Apr 12, 2001 - Clay Higgins

A late season delays the harbingers of spring in the year 2001. Where have the daffodils gone?

Apr 5, 2001 - Clay Higgins

Daffodils are brighter and more glorious when they get just a little tender loving care when they are first picked. Try these tricks and you will love them.

Mar 29, 2001 - Clay Higgins

It's time to start thinking of daffodil season and daffodil shows. This week's article is on making those daffodil selections in the garden for the daffodil show.

Mar 22, 2001 - Clay Higgins

Get those cameras out and take those snapshots for the upcoming 2nd annual Web Daffodil Show, sponsored right here on suite101.com.

Mar 15, 2001 - Clay Higgins

Daffodils are very hardy, and will grow just about anywere. Even in clay soil, lawns, and in cattle pastures.

Mar 8, 2001 - Clay Higgins

White daffodils, the other daffodil color, is a class of daffodils to themselves. One of the reasons that I like white daffodils is, there's one in all daffodil divisons.

Mar 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

The peanut garden and the last leg of my front patio and entrance garden. The peanut establishes my outter boundary for the front entrance lawn and garden.

Feb 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

This was my first year to work in the judging of daffodils and I enjoyed it immensely. I'd like to report that I've graduated from being a student judge to being a "card" carrying American Daffodil Society "Accredited Judge."

Jan 1, 2001 - Clay Higgins

The true blue daffodil fans will tell you that daffodil fall indications are the real harbingers of spring.

Dec 1, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Thanksgiving Day! Let us be thankful for our gardens, as they are a source of peace, and an outlet for imagination. Let's be sensible about it also, and give thanks that most of the gardening is done for the year.

Nov 23, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Soil erosion in garden beds can eliminate all that amended top soil and peat that took so much of our hard labor to put into our gardens. Are there ways to keep our soil from disappearing? There are some practical ways that are best applied with knowledge. Read on -

Nov 16, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Forcing bulbs is a hobby that is almost as old as the bringing daffodils out of the field as weeds, and making a garden flower out of them. There's still time to force those bulbs.

Nov 9, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Daffodil cannot live without water, but too much water causes daffodil bulbs to die from basal rot or fusarium oxysporum fungus. There is a time to water daffodils and a time to let them go dry. Here's how I see it.

Nov 2, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Planting show beds. There's no requirement for show beds, but if you want to show your flowers you should consider maintaining beds that have only show daffodils in them. It makes the work easier, and it helps with the maintenance of the bulbs, and the collection of the flowers to put into the show. Try it. You'll like it.

Oct 26, 2000 - Clay Higgins

It's bulb planting time in my region, zone 6 almost zone 7. Techniques of bulb planting has a lot to do with the individual, but with the spread of the internet and the web sites, techniques are becoming standardized. Do you put gran-i-grit under your bulbs?

Oct 19, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The first step in planting daffodils is to select the bulbs to plant. It's a lot more complicated then it looks.

Oct 12, 2000 - Clay Higgins

There seems to be a lot of issues at planting time about bulbs and why they are not healthy. I take a stab at addressing some of the issues of why daffodil bulbs die in the ground.

Oct 5, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Planting daffodils in the fall provides for glorious displays of daffodils in the spring. Enjoy the work now, and enjoy the bloom next spring.

Sep 28, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Planting daffodils is part of the fall ritual for spring color. Join in on the fun, and prepare yourself a garden of cheer next spring.

Sep 21, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The second article on the making of my front garden that I call garden #3. This article is on how I changed the front side walk and entryway into a front patio garden and entryway.

Sep 14, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Building a beautification garden along the driveway can make the drive a favorite on spring mornings. I do mine with a concentration of daffodils, and other bulbs along with perennials, small bushes and shrubs.

Sep 7, 2000 - Clay Higgins

After my experience in the year 2000, in which all my daffodils were late, I decided I'd build an early daffodil bed. Here's how it went.

Aug 31, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The results of the Garden Group Entries of the 1st Annual Cyber Daffodil Show.

Aug 28, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Results of the group entry class of the 1st Annual Cyber Daffodil Show.

Aug 28, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Results of the single entry class of the 1st Annual Cyber Daffodil Show.

Aug 28, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Last fall when we moved into this home, there was little time to prepare daffodil beds. We put daffodils into temporary beds and planted them. This year we started the process of building permanent, well prepared beds. To start this process, we dug half our beds to clear the beds for soil amendments prior to replanting. Next year, the plan is to complete the bed rebuilding for that half that we didn't do this year. This article is on our experience in rebuilding our daffodil beds.

Aug 24, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The making of a new early daffodil garden bed takes, time, effort,lots of organic material and some common sense. This article documents my efforts to hasten my daffodil bloom, and bring spring early to my gardens.

Aug 17, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Growing daffodils is easy and fun. Visit this article to see how you can successfully grow your own daffodils.

Aug 10, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Preparing daffodil beds for fall planting, isn't an exact science, but should follow a plan to provide organic matter and drainage.

Aug 3, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Continued article from last week. Wrap-up of the "strange" 2000 Daffodil Season. It's the first year that I stopped right in the middle of the daffodil show season, and sat out for a week. I seriously considered giving up the daffodil growing and showing game and quit this whole mess. The frustration was too high.

Jul 27, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Extract taken from Clay's personal daffodil scrape book. Year V as the Novice, 2000. Daffyclay's personal daffodil show report for the season. This is my fifth year showing daffodils and as I meet and get to know people with 20 - 30 years showing experience, it makes me feel that I am still a novice. Nevertheless, the 2000 daffodil season was a strange one.

Jul 20, 2000 - Clay Higgins

My original idea was to build a garden where I could raise daffodils for show, and beautification. I didn't plan on eight gardens at our new home, it just happened.

Jul 13, 2000 - Clay Higgins

You can travel successfully with daffodil flowers

Jul 10, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Reverse bi-color daffodils are a favorite with gardeners and exhibitors. A true "manmade" flower created by breeding, that adds to the both the garden and the show bench.

Jul 6, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Border bulb gardens are lost without daffodils as a major player. Add character to your home and give it a professionally landscaped look, with a border garden.

Jun 29, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The tree garden is the second of three articles on gardening with daffodils. Dress up that old massive oak, or the beautiful dogwood with bulbs in the spring.

Jun 22, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Have you admired a neighbors bulb garden and the glorious displays it makes in spring. Here's a way to get that display, by using daffodils in your gardening plans.

Jun 15, 2000 - Clay Higgins

I don't have time for gardening, but I love gardens. The choice was simple, easy-care gardening. Do it once and go to the next project. Here's how I do it, and do it with daffodils as my featured plant.

Jun 8, 2000 - Clay Higgins

It time for digging of the daffodils again. Some tips and time proven techniques. Got you favorite "digging" tool ready?

Jun 1, 2000 - Clay Higgins

British Isles daffodils may leave you disappointed after the first year. Don't give up on them, and let them adjust for two to three years. You may be very happy that you did.

May 25, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The British are the leading hybridizers of daffodils in the world for the last 300 years. Take a look at some of today's best growers and breeders. The British Isles as used in this article includes Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the Britian itself.

May 18, 2000 - Clay Higgins

1st Annual Cyber Daffodil Show!! We are calling for entries please!

May 15, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The question that we are trying to answer in this article is, "What to do with the dead and dying daffodil foliage?"

May 11, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The last of the late-late daffodils in my garden, division 5 driandrus, jonquils of divion 7, division 8 tazettas, and division 9 poeticus. Come take a look.

May 4, 2000 - Clay Higgins

My daffodil garden in the 4th week in April is down to the late varieties, with a strong showing from my division 3, short cupped daffodils. There are two daffodil shows as the show season raps up for the year.

Apr 27, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Fox Run daffodil show pictures.

Apr 23, 2000 - Clay Higgins

There is no daffodil show this week, because of Easter. I, therefore, having daffodil withdrawl pains, decided to put on my own show, and put the winners on my weekly article. Come and enjoy my show. I've staged them like at a show and have re-created my collections according to the Washington, DC., show program. Come enjoy. Oh, by the way, daffodil judges, please put down your judging badge, and slowly move away from it! LOL. The daffodil season is winding down, with the week of April 24 to 29, and two shows to go.

Apr 22, 2000 - Clay Higgins

My daffodil garden in the 3rd week in April, 2000. It's hard to believe there is no daffodil show this weekend, but more than I can handle next week.

Apr 19, 2000 - Clay Higgins

My Daffodil Garden in the 2nd Week in April is beginning to take bloom. I've gone from trumpets and a few division 6 cyclamineus daffodils to a broad spectum of all categories now in bloom.

Apr 13, 2000 - Clay Higgins

This article combines the National Daffodil Show in Portland, Oregon with the daffodils in my garden this week, the 1st week in April 2000. I personally didn't have much to show, as it's early for my daffodils. However, the National Daffodil Show in Portland had enough beautiful flowers to take your breath away.

Apr 6, 2000 - Clay Higgins

My new daffodil garden during the last week of March 2000. Based on the fact that it was weeds and brush until September 1999, it's not so bad.

Mar 30, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The World Daffodil Convention and the American Daffodil Society National Convention are the same for the year 2000. The convention is being held from March 30th to April 3, 2000. It should be a real whopper of an affair. You are welcome to come join us.

Mar 23, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The harbingers of spring, daffodils, also bring the annual daffodil shows. It's a good time to meet other daffodil hobbiests, and view the splendour of garden grown daffodils.

Mar 16, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Division 4, or double daffodils are some of the most beautiful daffodils in the garden. They can also be trying to grow because of their "habit" of "blasting." In addition, they are hard to groom and place on the show bench, but here is one person's solution.

Mar 9, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The American Daffodil Society's Mentor Program is a saving "Grace," and just might be the shot in the arm that restores credibility to the ADS.

Mar 2, 2000 - Clay Higgins

This is the second of two articles on Australian daffodils. The Australian home gardener has it's champion, and it's Rex Breen. Read about his program.

Feb 24, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Australian daffodils are amongst the leaders of the daffodil world. Their history and success in breeding daffodils is internationally recognized, but times are changing.

Feb 17, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The Low-Down on the Down-Under Daffodils is a discussion on the best of the best for Australian and New Zealand daffodils.

Feb 10, 2000 - Clay Higgins

This is the next installment on the subject of daffodils from New Zealand. If you want a list of "Great" New Zealand show daffodils, this is it.

Feb 3, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Daffodils from down-under are a treat in your garden. They are not only tall and bright, they are reliable products of high quality hybridizing (breeding) programs.

Jan 27, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The one year anniversary of the column Daffodils for Garden and Show. A year in reflection.

Jan 20, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Ordering daffodils from "downunder," and turning them around can be an interesting experience. There's two ways, wait for next year, and refrigeration. Like to give it a try.

Jan 13, 2000 - Clay Higgins

Daffodil bulbs are available from the Southern Hemisphere now. These bulbs are grown in direct opposition to our seasons, but many represent the cutting edge in hybridizing. Don't pass them by just because they have to be turned-around, the subject of next week's article.

Jan 6, 2000 - Clay Higgins

The new year is the year of the daffodil. Have a Daffodil New Year. What are your Daffodil New Year's resolutions!

Dec 30, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Christmas in the daffodil patch. A fantistic sight to see!

Dec 23, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The division 3, short cupped daffodil is outstanding on the daffodil show floor, and a work-horse in the garden.

Dec 16, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The consistency in making reference to daffodils and the correct usage of narcissus and daffodils seem to be a lost art. I straighten the bent record in this article.

Dec 9, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Some daffodils just fade away. There are many reasons that registered varieties are now extinct. Some of them, for no reason at all.

Dec 2, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Daffodil diseases are a problem that each gardener should be aware, and help eliminate.

Nov 25, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The basics of daffodil growing in a "nut-shell" for the casual home gardener. It covers the material from "a" to "z."

Nov 18, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Planting my new beds took a lot of work and effort, even after the tractor and the chisel plow, and the backhoe. Putting bulbs into virgin soil was a real experience.

Nov 11, 1999 - Clay Higgins

There is no short cut to digging daffodil beds. I learned the hard way that it's best to do it right the first time. With quality bulbs that need a rich soil, with plenty of organic matter, I had no choice except the repeat the work that did not prove adequate. A waste of time, effort, and money. Dig deep and mix the organic materials, right, the first time, is the best way.

Nov 4, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The is the continuation of my experience in the sudden moving of a daffodil garden without the time to properly prepare. A back breaking effort it is!

Oct 28, 1999 - Clay Higgins

In the fall of 1999, I moved to a new home and had to move my entire daffodil Show garden. What an experience!! Warning! We are professionals, don't try this at home! LOL. Overwhelming job.

Oct 21, 1999 - Clay Higgins

I experienced a move of my entire gardens this year. My worst fears was the drought that had been on going, even when we did get rain just as we moved. Here's how we moved my garden.

Oct 14, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Growing daffodils in pots is both an art and a culture.

Oct 7, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Forcing daffodils can bring a beautiful spring experience. Best of all, it's not just for the commercial growers. You can do it too.

Sep 30, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Planting daffodils can be made simple by use of "easy" aides.

Sep 23, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Labeling and plot planning are some methods to maintain a database of the daffodils planted.

Sep 16, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Planting the daffodils in the "right" beds makes a difference.

Sep 9, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The new ADS mentor program for new members, comments and views by this editor.

Sep 2, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Planting daffodils to look their best and to provide maximum beauty to your gardens.

Aug 26, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Considerations of the shade factor in planting daffodils.

Aug 19, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Thinning daffodils, after the digging, is an important funtion of keeping your daffodils growing healthy and producting good foliage and bloom.

Aug 12, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Beds to be used for daffodils should be prepared well in advance of the planting season. Sixty to ninety days are needed so that the soil will have time to adjust, and compact. It does make a difference in the first year bulbs are in the ground

Aug 5, 1999 - Clay Higgins

All daffodil do not take the same cultivation. Learning the daffodil culture will help solve basic daffodil gardening concerns.

Jul 29, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The basic show list of daffodils should include all listed RHS divisions, and some classifications that are extra-divisional. When I say extra-divisonal, I mean outside any single single division, such as collections of pink, red/orange, reverse bi-colors, white, yellow, or miniature, etc. The extra-divisional collections may be made up with as many divional representatives as the shower would like to include. Take a look at this show list.

Jul 22, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Rebuttal to my article, Beware! Daffodil Police!! by the "chief of police" in The American Daffodil Society.

Jul 15, 1999 - Clay Higgins

I'm not in agreement with the 1998 Royal Horticulture Society's new classification system. To me, the changes are for change purpose only. This week's article is a discussion of my opposition to the changes.

Jul 15, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Historic daffodils are reminders of the past and present some interesting conversation pieces in the garden. What is a historic daffodil? Read this article for more information.

Jul 8, 1999 - Clay Higgins

For home gardeners, this is a "wish" list to be used to collect garden daffodils to brighten up the spring.

Jul 1, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Solar sterilization renews the garden soil, and helps revitilize your bulbs as it helps them fight viruses and fungi, resulting in fresh and bigger blooms. The best kept secret is that solar sterlization is easy.

Jun 24, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Drying and the initial care of freshly dug bulbs will make life simple.

Jun 17, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Using the proper tools when digging daffodil bulbs will make the work easier, protect the bulbs from damage and help keep the digging process organized.

Jun 10, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Daffodil pests and disease are not commonly a major problem for daffodils, however they can cause concerns in some areas. The problems range from easy to difficult to eradicate. Here's some tips on how to do it.

Jun 3, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The care and cleaning and preserving of daffodil bulbs is an important part of the gardening experience.

Jun 2, 1999 - Clay Higgins

This article is the beginning of a series of articles on the basic principles of digging, care, and planting of daffodil bulbs.

May 27, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Hiding daffodil foliage is a method that can be used to maintain the "formal" garden look in late spring. Some methods and solutions for the daffodil foliage is discussed in this week's article.

May 20, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The 1999 daffodil growing and blooming season was a long one, which allowed for successful showing as the blooms did not come all at once. It extended the daffodil blooming season for nearly a month in my garden.

May 13, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Hybridization of daffodils not only requires the patience to wait for several years for results, it also requires the knowledge of cultivation, and selection of the seedlings with potential for further study and evaluation.

May 6, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The introductions and improvements in daffodils come from amateur hybridizers and not from commercial sources. The time and effort necessary to introduce a new variety makes it cost prohibited. Therefore, the propogation of daffodil cultivars are in the hands of the hobbist. It's one of those areas where the amateur can make a difference.

Apr 29, 1999 - Clay Higgins

This week, DaffyClay on Daffodils, contains an article that is an analysis of the short cupped daffodil, which is his favorite. Included are comments on the show worthiness of this flower, and its merits as a garden flower. That's the best part about short cupped daffodils, they are both great for the garden and for the show bench.

Apr 22, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The art of placing daffodil flowers on the show bench for exhibition is called stagging, which is the final and critical aspect of showing flowers. The task requirements including proper classification of the flowers, "loading" the flowers into the show test tubes/blocks, dressing them with boxwood or yew, final grooming, and placement on the show bench. Piece of cake. Easy as pie.

Apr 15, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Your first daffodil show can be a little frightening, unless you know the "ropes." The three things that you need to know is to find the register and sign in, locate an area to be used for staging your flowers, and review the show room. This weeks articles gives some pointers on what to look for.

Apr 8, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The show program is the friend of the exhibitor. As you learn to use the program, you learn to be more proficient in your showing regiment. Take a little time and learn how it helps.

Apr 1, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Hardening the daffodils and making the final show preparations are important steps in showing. Hardening preserves the daffodil and allows for the flower to hold it's beauty longer. The final show preparations insures the exhibitor that they have what they need to make a successful showing.

Mar 31, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Final preparation of the daffodil before it goes to the show is the grooming and hardening process. Grooming improves the flower and makes it more show worthy. Hardening gives final conditioning to the flower, and is essential for longer show bench life.

Mar 25, 1999 - Clay Higgins

This article is on the "applied art" of grooming daffodils for the show and for the home. A dull looking daffodil in the garden, will brighten up, and put on a "show" when groomed and properly staged for the show or in the home.

Mar 18, 1999 - Clay Higgins

A daffodil show is never likely to be a collection of perfect blooms. It is more a collection of the best blooms available on that day; most of them will be good examples of the particular cultivars but will have been presented in such a way that they appear to visitors to be approaching the ultimate standard of perfection. This week's articles is on how to select that show worthy bloom while in the garden.

Mar 11, 1999 - Clay Higgins

Showing daffodils is a lot of fun. This weeks article is a series of questions and answers to guide you to become and exhibitor. Showing daffodils is not a life or death situation, it's one of todays best kept secrets - it's fun. Come and join us.

Mar 4, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The origins of the garden daffodils have a long history with the human race. However it's only been the last couple of hundred years that hybrids have seen the 25-30 species of daffodils propogated into over 25,000 separately named hybrid cultivars. The origins of our classification system provides some insight into how we got where we are today.

Feb 25, 1999 - Clay Higgins

We are not just subject to the weatherman's whimsey. Cutting and preserving daffodil blooms for the show bench or for the home can extend the pleasure of your flowers, and if you are a daffodil shower, expand your horizons.

Feb 18, 1999 - Clay Higgins

DaffyClay on daffodils brings fun and informative facts from the history and legends of daffodils. Affodyle anyone?

Feb 11, 1999 - Clay Higgins

DaffyClay on Daffodils looks at the roots of his daffodil heritage and finds that many others are rescuing heirloom beloved bulbs from old farms and house sites that are no longer occupied. In addition, heirloom plants are making a come-back as they rightly should. They are worth preserving.

Feb 4, 1999 - Clay Higgins

DaffyClay on Daffodils presents the July 1998 reclassification of Daffodils by the Royal Horticulture Society, or the RHS as they are known, into 13, instead of the old 12 divisions. The gist of all the changes is that a new division for Bulbocodium was created as division 10, and the genus narcisus identified by species or botanical names, and natural hybrids were moved to a new division 13.

Jan 28, 1999 - Clay Higgins

DaffyClay on Daffodils presents a cyber daffodil tour in the winter. Mid winter blaus got you, take a look at these gardens and photographs. Get that smile back on your face.

Jan 21, 1999 - Clay Higgins

The concept of DaffyClay's Place for Daffodils is to have fun gardening and showing daffodils. We will entertain all questions on the subject, do some gardening and showing of daffodils along the way, and hopefully, learn, and find answers to daffodil questions.

Dec 18, 1998 - Clay Higgins