Daffodils

 Here in Cincinnati, the Daffodils are in full bloom.  I just love these sunny flowers!  In case you didn't know, the Daffodil flower symbolizes friendship.  There are at least 50 different species.  Daffodils grow naturally in the Mediterranean region as well as in North Africa and the Middle East.  In fact, one of the earliest known references of the Daffodil can be found in the prophet, Mohammed's writings in 6th century AD.
 

Generally, Daffodils are yellow, but some have orange, pink, and lime green in them.  They come in all sizes, from 5 inch blooms on 2 foot stems, to half inch blooms on 2 inch stems.  They can be recognized by their distinct trumpet-shaped centers, surrounded by petals that fan out like a star.  Did you know there is no difference between Daffodils and Narcissus?  Narcissus is just the Latin name.  Daffodil is the common name for all member of the genus Narcissus.

  Daffodils grow from bulbs.  When planting Daffodils, plant the bulbs at least two times as deep as the bulb is high.  So if you have a 2 inch bulb, plant it 4 inches deep.  Daffodils need lots of water when they are growing.  If you live in a place where you get lots of rain in the spring, you really don't have to worry about watering.  If not, then make sure you're watering at least once a week.  Putting mulch down really helps hold in the moisture.  That's what I do for my Daffodils.  Don't use a high nitrogen fertilizer on them.  You won't get nice blooms.  When the foilage turns yellow, then you can trim them.  Don't cut them until this happens, or you won't get nice blooms the following year.  Every five to ten years, you may want to divide the clumps of bulbs.  This can be done in early summer, after they are done blooming and their foilage has turned yellow.   Or you can just wait until the fall.  It might be a little more difficult to find them, though.