Daffodils are cherished harbingers of spring, their cheerful blooms signaling the end of winter with bursts of color and form. These perennial flowers emerge from bulbs, producing slender, green leaves and single or clustered blossoms atop sturdy stems. Their iconic shape—often a central cup surrounded by radiating petals—makes them instantly recognizable and a staple in gardens and wild landscapes alike.
Botanically, daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus within the Amaryllidaceae family, a classification that ties them to other bulbous plants like amaryllis. This genus encompasses a wide range of species and cultivars, reflecting their adaptability and appeal. Their flowers typically feature shades of yellow, white, or orange, with some offering delightful fragrance, adding to their allure as both ornamental and sensory treasures.
Native to parts of Europe, particularly the Iberian Peninsula, and North Africa, daffodils have spread far beyond their origins through cultivation and naturalization. They thrive in temperate climates, favoring well-drained soils and sunny or partially shaded spots. Over centuries, they’ve become symbols of renewal and hope, deeply embedded in cultures across the globe, from ancient myths to modern gardens.
Their versatility is a key charm, with heights ranging from a few inches to over a foot, and blooms varying from simple elegance to extravagant fullness. Some flower early, others linger into late spring, ensuring a prolonged season of beauty. Easy to grow and resilient, daffodils multiply over time, making them a lasting gift to any landscape, whether planted in drifts or tucked into pots.
Types of Daffodils
Trumpet Daffodil
- Height: 16–20 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, or bi-color
- Description: The quintessential daffodil, with a long, prominent trumpet as long as or longer than its petals. It’s bold, reliable, and perfect for naturalizing.
Large-Cupped Daffodil
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, pink, orange centers
- Description: Featuring a cup shorter than the petals but over a third of their length, this type offers striking contrasts and is a staple in mixed borders.
Small-Cupped Daffodil
- Height: 12–16 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, orange centers
- Description: With a petite cup under a third of the petal length, these delicate blooms shine in rock gardens or as elegant cut flowers.
Double Daffodil
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, peach
- Description: Packed with extra petals or a ruffled cup, these lush, full blooms resemble peonies and add a luxurious touch to spring displays.
Triandrus Daffodil
- Height: 10–14 inches
- Flower Colors: White, yellow
- Description: Producing 2–3 nodding flowers per stem, this type has reflexed petals and a graceful, bell-like cup, ideal for containers.
Cyclamineus Daffodil
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: Known for sharply swept-back petals and a short, angled cup, this compact type mimics a cyclamen and thrives in early spring.
Jonquilla Daffodil
- Height: 10–16 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: With multiple fragrant flowers per stem and narrow, rush-like leaves, this type brings a sweet scent and dainty charm to gardens.
Tazetta Daffodil
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Flower Colors: White, yellow, orange centers
- Description: Clustering 3–20 small, fragrant blooms per stem, this type loves milder climates and is often forced indoors for winter cheer.
Poeticus Daffodil
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: White with red-rimmed yellow cup
- Description: Late-blooming with a single, flat flower and a spicy fragrance, this classic type has a poetic elegance and naturalizes well.
Bulbocodium Daffodil
- Height: 4–6 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: Tiny but bold, with a wide, hoop-like cup and slender petals, this dwarf type is perfect for rockeries or early spring pots.
Split-Corona Daffodil
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, pink, orange
- Description: The cup splits and flares outward, blending with petals for a butterfly-like effect, making it a dramatic focal point.
Wild Daffodil
- Height: 10–14 inches
- Flower Colors: Pale yellow, white
- Description: The original Narcissus pseudonarcissus, with simple, pale blooms and a slender trumpet, this species evokes timeless woodland beauty.
Miniature Trumpet Daffodil
- Height: 6–10 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: A pint-sized version of the trumpet type, with a bold, long cup on a tiny scale. It’s ideal for small gardens or fairy-like displays.
Pink-Cupped Daffodil
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: White with pink cup
- Description: A large-cupped variant with a soft pink corona, this type adds a rare pastel hue to the daffodil family, stunning in mixed beds.
Fragrant Double Daffodil
- Height: 12–16 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: Combining ruffled, double blooms with a sweet scent, this type is a sensory treat, perfect near walkways or in bouquets.
Reflexed Daffodil
- Height: 8–12 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: A cyclamineus hybrid with dramatically swept-back petals and a short cup, its windswept look shines in early spring borders.
Multi-Headed Jonquilla
- Height: 12–16 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: An enhanced jonquilla with up to 5 fragrant blooms per stem, this type offers a prolific, scented show for sunny spots.
Paperwhite Daffodil
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Flower Colors: White
- Description: A tazetta type with clusters of small, pure white, highly fragrant flowers, it’s a winter-blooming favorite for indoor forcing.
Orange-Centered Poeticus
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: White with orange cup
- Description: A poeticus twist with a vivid orange eye, this late bloomer pairs fragrance with bold contrast, ideal for naturalizing.
Dwarf Tazetta Daffodil
- Height: 6–10 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, orange centers
- Description: A miniature tazetta with multiple tiny blooms per stem, this compact type brings fragrance and cheer to small spaces.
Collar Daffodil
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white, orange
- Description: A split-corona subtype with a cup that flattens against the petals like a collar, offering a unique, modern flair.
Hoop Petticoat Daffodil
- Height: 4–6 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: A bulbocodium variant with a wide, funnel-shaped cup and tiny petals, this dwarf type mimics a petticoat and thrives in pots.
Bi-Color Large-Cupped Daffodil
- Height: 14–18 inches
- Flower Colors: White with yellow or orange cup
- Description: With contrasting petals and a vibrant cup, this type adds a two-tone pop to gardens, blending elegance and energy.
Late-Season Double Daffodil
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Yellow, white
- Description: Blooming later with lush, double flowers, this type extends the daffodil season, perfect for a grand spring finale.