Early Spring Favorite for Mild Winters

I have loved bulbs since I was in grade school back in central Oklahoma. My mother had planted red and yellow tulip bulbs one fall and from the minute those bulbs pushed their tiny green tips out of the soil, I was hooked for life!

Because we often have mild winters here in East Texas, traditional spring bulbs, such as tulips, crocus, and Dutch hyacinths usually don’t come back the following year due to the fact that they don’t get enough chilling hours during the winter. There are however, bulbs that will come back here, the Ceylon Daffodil being one of the strongest perennials available.

Standout Appearance and Growing Needs

With buttercup yellow petals and a reddish orange cup, Ceylon is a standout in the spring garden. It has everything you could want in a daffodil. Its flowers face upward, are long-lasting and hold their color well.

An early to mid-spring bloomer, Ceylon reaches a height of 14-16 inches. It requires full sun or at least 6+ hours of sun per day. Soil must be well-drained to prevent bulb rot. An added bonus is that Ceylon is deer- and rodent-proof.

Planting Depth and Care Guidelines

Bulbs that bloom in the spring must be planted in the fall. They require cool soil to make roots before the onset of winter.

According to bulb expert, Dr. Greg Grant, Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the general guideline is to plant daffodil bulbs at a depth twice the bulb’s height. It’s important to make sure the nose of the bulb is under the ground. Place the bulbs 4 -6 inches apart, giving them space to multiply over the years.

Dr. Grant also recommends amending the soil with organic matter, such as compost. Doing so not only improves soil structure, but also provides slow-release nutrients to the bulbs.

Landscape Design and Companion Plants

Daffodils look best when planted in quantity. They are the most cost-efficient, pest-free, and long-term perennial plants that are available. They make wonderful companions with other plants, such as bulbs, perennials, annuals, and flowering shrubs.

Companion plants used with Ceylon are spring-flowering, naturalized perennials such as low-chilling daffodils, paper white narcissus, Summer Snowflake, grape hyacinths, and day lilies, which can return year after year.

Dividing Bulbs and Event Sale Details

After several years, most naturalized bulbs will become crowded. A reduction in blooms signals the need to dig them up during their summer dormant season, divide them, replant them in a new spot, or share them with friends and family, which is the best part of all!

Ceylon and many other heritage, hardy, and locally trialed bulbs will be available for sale at the free Bulbs to Blooms Conference and Sale on October 24th from 9:00 am -1:00 pm at Pollard United Methodist Church. The sale is sponsored by the Smith County Master Gardeners. Order bulbs online from Oct. 12-21. Check the SCMGA website by clicking HERE.