Naturalized Daffodils and Mini Meadow Update
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Date: 2022-08-07
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Comments and reviews: 20
Alison
Beautiful, Danielle! We've lived in our house for over 30 years, and over time I've planted thousands of daffodils. What I do wouldn't work for most people, but we have a big yard, and I've planted the daffodils in clusters of 3, 5, and 7 directly into the yard. We don't plant each bulb individually but dig holes big enough to hold multiples and then carefully replace the grass. The daffodils come up beautifully, and we cut the lawn around them. Then when the flowers are dried up, usually around Memorial Day here, we mow them down. I know that's a huge no-no! But I can't leave them. The grass looks a little messy for a bit, but then it comes up fine. What happens to the daffodils is that I've noticed over the years that they lose a bit of their pigment, but they still come back and continue to naturalize, although probably not as much as they would if we didn't cut them down. This wouldn't work for selling them, but they continue to provide a beautiful display each year, and deer don't eat them. If other people want to try this, like I say, I've been doing this for years -
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Beautiful, Danielle! We've lived in our house for over 30 years, and over time I've planted thousands of daffodils. What I do wouldn't work for most people, but we have a big yard, and I've planted the daffodils in clusters of 3, 5, and 7 directly into the yard. We don't plant each bulb individually but dig holes big enough to hold multiples and then carefully replace the grass. The daffodils come up beautifully, and we cut the lawn around them. Then when the flowers are dried up, usually around Memorial Day here, we mow them down. I know that's a huge no-no! But I can't leave them. The grass looks a little messy for a bit, but then it comes up fine. What happens to the daffodils is that I've noticed over the years that they lose a bit of their pigment, but they still come back and continue to naturalize, although probably not as much as they would if we didn't cut them down. This wouldn't work for selling them, but they continue to provide a beautiful display each year, and deer don't eat them. If other people want to try this, like I say, I've been doing this for years -
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Jessica
Love this! A friend wanted to dig all of her naturalized Daffodils out. It was well before they died back so I was definitely nervous they wouldn-t come back. I offered to dig them if I could take them all. I stored them all summer and planted in the fall, lining the sidewalk (in our lawn where the grass meets concrete) from our driveway to our front door. All I say is wow! Daffodils in the lawn are amazing! I-m a zone 7b and I-m just south of you in DE, so similar weather. Mine bloomed early and I have to say so far as the stand alone foliage without blooms, cutting the grass right up to the line of flowers makes such a huge difference. It looks neat and tidy even though the flowers are done. Cant wait to add different Daffodils next year to thicken the row. You definitely inspired me to look into different bloom times to extend the life of the row!
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Love this! A friend wanted to dig all of her naturalized Daffodils out. It was well before they died back so I was definitely nervous they wouldn-t come back. I offered to dig them if I could take them all. I stored them all summer and planted in the fall, lining the sidewalk (in our lawn where the grass meets concrete) from our driveway to our front door. All I say is wow! Daffodils in the lawn are amazing! I-m a zone 7b and I-m just south of you in DE, so similar weather. Mine bloomed early and I have to say so far as the stand alone foliage without blooms, cutting the grass right up to the line of flowers makes such a huge difference. It looks neat and tidy even though the flowers are done. Cant wait to add different Daffodils next year to thicken the row. You definitely inspired me to look into different bloom times to extend the life of the row!
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Green
Danielle, while your daffodils are still visible, it might help to place some markers where nothing is planted, so you won't disturb the bulbs in the fall when you add new bulbs to the area. It's just a thought because I always seem to cut some of my planted bulbs when I add new ones in the fall. This spring, (for the first time) I have marked the empty spaces so I won't ruin any existing daffodil or tulip bulbs. I used the round metal discs that roofers use to hold tar-paper in place when they reroof a building. They're about 2- round and you can pin them down with a nail. In the fall, remove the metal disc and use your bulb plugger in that spot. Have a wonderful week! -Margie
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Danielle, while your daffodils are still visible, it might help to place some markers where nothing is planted, so you won't disturb the bulbs in the fall when you add new bulbs to the area. It's just a thought because I always seem to cut some of my planted bulbs when I add new ones in the fall. This spring, (for the first time) I have marked the empty spaces so I won't ruin any existing daffodil or tulip bulbs. I used the round metal discs that roofers use to hold tar-paper in place when they reroof a building. They're about 2- round and you can pin them down with a nail. In the fall, remove the metal disc and use your bulb plugger in that spot. Have a wonderful week! -Margie
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Christina
I-ve grown a lot of mixed seeds over the years by mixing a portion of the seeds with some potting mix when they need to be covered or with some seed starting mix when they-re supposed to be barely covered. I literally mix the seed mix into the potting mix in a mixing bowl, and then I sprinkle that over the area where I want the seeds to grow, right before a period of rain. If you-re concerned about critters eating the seeds, you can mix in cayenne pepper or cayenne pepper flakes. The key is to sprinkle the mixture multiple times throughout the seasons. So rather than just sprinkling at the recommended time, also sprinkle at other times.
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I-ve grown a lot of mixed seeds over the years by mixing a portion of the seeds with some potting mix when they need to be covered or with some seed starting mix when they-re supposed to be barely covered. I literally mix the seed mix into the potting mix in a mixing bowl, and then I sprinkle that over the area where I want the seeds to grow, right before a period of rain. If you-re concerned about critters eating the seeds, you can mix in cayenne pepper or cayenne pepper flakes. The key is to sprinkle the mixture multiple times throughout the seasons. So rather than just sprinkling at the recommended time, also sprinkle at other times.
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NoAimNoShame
I am doing the same, planted bulbs in the fall and today i will sow flower seeds. Problem is that grass popped up in the flower border so I will need to cut them, not even weeds pop up in some areas as the grass is so dense, so I wont seed them directly on the grass. Hopefully it will turn into a nice flower border as at the moment it ain't looking that good. I know people who used seed bombs or small plugs in the lawn with good success, but eventually the grass tends to choke theother plants out. Thank you for your wonderful content!
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I am doing the same, planted bulbs in the fall and today i will sow flower seeds. Problem is that grass popped up in the flower border so I will need to cut them, not even weeds pop up in some areas as the grass is so dense, so I wont seed them directly on the grass. Hopefully it will turn into a nice flower border as at the moment it ain't looking that good. I know people who used seed bombs or small plugs in the lawn with good success, but eventually the grass tends to choke theother plants out. Thank you for your wonderful content!
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Sue
This looks awesome! (daffodils are my passion and so is Brit gardening) I found a mix of squirrel-resistant crocus I want to add to a space on our front lawn. We have a deep lawn and I am looking for ways to make it lovely and floral. Did you get your daffodils in a mix from Longfield? BTW, I know Brits naturalize snowdrops a lot, but I want more clumping bulbs and those that can handle some dappled shade, so I don't want to go that route.
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This looks awesome! (daffodils are my passion and so is Brit gardening) I found a mix of squirrel-resistant crocus I want to add to a space on our front lawn. We have a deep lawn and I am looking for ways to make it lovely and floral. Did you get your daffodils in a mix from Longfield? BTW, I know Brits naturalize snowdrops a lot, but I want more clumping bulbs and those that can handle some dappled shade, so I don't want to go that route.
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Leslie
We bought a new house this last winter and your plan is very similar to the plan I have for a section of our front yard. We have some very large berms that I-ve told my husband that this fall I want to fill them with crocus, lily tulips, Mascari, daffodils, and then meadow seed. It-s an area that I want to be very natural and left for the pollinators yet still tidy enough for my suburban neighbors.
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We bought a new house this last winter and your plan is very similar to the plan I have for a section of our front yard. We have some very large berms that I-ve told my husband that this fall I want to fill them with crocus, lily tulips, Mascari, daffodils, and then meadow seed. It-s an area that I want to be very natural and left for the pollinators yet still tidy enough for my suburban neighbors.
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Liz
I-m trying a similar idea in the far back corner of our property where the beehive are-since I don-t often mow when the bees are active. I added camassia in with the bulbs. I also used lots of Thalia daffodils. The foliage is fine and doesn-t look so messy during die off Species tulips and crocus get the show started early. I-m considering accident allium Purple Senstion
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I-m trying a similar idea in the far back corner of our property where the beehive are-since I don-t often mow when the bees are active. I added camassia in with the bulbs. I also used lots of Thalia daffodils. The foliage is fine and doesn-t look so messy during die off Species tulips and crocus get the show started early. I-m considering accident allium Purple Senstion
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Garden
Miss D I LOVE your idea of mini meadow! We have a creek with a natural area and I will be doing similar. I'm thinking of shrubs and trees with berries and fruit for the birds, with daffodils, spring green tulips, followed by alliums, then columbines, rudbeckias, baby's breath, and bachelor buttons! I'm excited to watch yours and mine develop! - Linda in Vancouver --
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Miss D I LOVE your idea of mini meadow! We have a creek with a natural area and I will be doing similar. I'm thinking of shrubs and trees with berries and fruit for the birds, with daffodils, spring green tulips, followed by alliums, then columbines, rudbeckias, baby's breath, and bachelor buttons! I'm excited to watch yours and mine develop! - Linda in Vancouver --
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Nmp
How will you plug in more daffodil bulbs without disturbing the existing bulbs? When the meadow plants take seed and grow next spring, will they be taller than the daffodils? I have an unused area and want a daffodil meadow. The expense and work is formidable at my age so I want to do it right. Thank you for your inspiration and expertise.
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How will you plug in more daffodil bulbs without disturbing the existing bulbs? When the meadow plants take seed and grow next spring, will they be taller than the daffodils? I have an unused area and want a daffodil meadow. The expense and work is formidable at my age so I want to do it right. Thank you for your inspiration and expertise.
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Jennifer
Ooooh so pretty, excited to see this! We just started a similar area this year, but on a smaller scale. I want to get more daffodils like you have, that bloom early to late. The mix I bought, wasn't mixed when it bloomed. We did plant some small naturilizing bulbs with them. We are trying to justnscatter some seed as well.
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Ooooh so pretty, excited to see this! We just started a similar area this year, but on a smaller scale. I want to get more daffodils like you have, that bloom early to late. The mix I bought, wasn't mixed when it bloomed. We did plant some small naturilizing bulbs with them. We are trying to justnscatter some seed as well.
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Dawn
This mini meadow is beautiful already! I-m intrigued to watch it evolve. Will you ever mow this area, for example late fall, or will you just allow it to die back naturally and leave all of dead material to decompose naturally? Will you fertilize the area? Thanks for sharing this very cool idea!
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This mini meadow is beautiful already! I-m intrigued to watch it evolve. Will you ever mow this area, for example late fall, or will you just allow it to die back naturally and leave all of dead material to decompose naturally? Will you fertilize the area? Thanks for sharing this very cool idea!
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Elizabeth
Danielle- your Daffs are beautiful! I'm too hot for most of them, but I want you to know that you inspired this TX zone 9a girl to plant lillies from Longfield, and now my Royal Sunset lillies are blooming! - I have several other varieties, but those bloomed 1st. They are gorgeous!
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Danielle- your Daffs are beautiful! I'm too hot for most of them, but I want you to know that you inspired this TX zone 9a girl to plant lillies from Longfield, and now my Royal Sunset lillies are blooming! - I have several other varieties, but those bloomed 1st. They are gorgeous!
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Marguerite
Your meadow looks lovely. I am sure the neighbours love it too. I know I would. Adding plants that grow at different times would be lovely. My only concern would be weeds. Would you have to go in and pull them out? I always enjoy your new designs.
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Your meadow looks lovely. I am sure the neighbours love it too. I know I would. Adding plants that grow at different times would be lovely. My only concern would be weeds. Would you have to go in and pull them out? I always enjoy your new designs.
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EmKn
We-re doing something similar, along with plugs. Except I-ve been focusing on native perennials. This free, flowing look is so calming and restful and brings us a lot of joy. Just added camassia last fall and liatris last week. Hoping for the best!
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We-re doing something similar, along with plugs. Except I-ve been focusing on native perennials. This free, flowing look is so calming and restful and brings us a lot of joy. Just added camassia last fall and liatris last week. Hoping for the best!
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Rachel
We have a large area of our yard that we do not use. (We are on just over 1 acre) I am very intrigued by the idea of a meadow with a succession of flowers coming up one right after the other! I am sure pollinators will love it!
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We have a large area of our yard that we do not use. (We are on just over 1 acre) I am very intrigued by the idea of a meadow with a succession of flowers coming up one right after the other! I am sure pollinators will love it!
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Karla
Danielle - you mention adding more daffodils in the fall. Are you trying to take pictures to see where your existing bulbs are planted? I ask because I have the same challenge. I'm taking pictures and crossing my fingers.
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Danielle - you mention adding more daffodils in the fall. Are you trying to take pictures to see where your existing bulbs are planted? I ask because I have the same challenge. I'm taking pictures and crossing my fingers.
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Janet
Thanks for your ideas on the daffodils. I would like to try that in our somewhat shady front side yard. I am thinking of dividing my astilbe plants & putting them there too. Your videos are so helpful to me.
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Thanks for your ideas on the daffodils. I would like to try that in our somewhat shady front side yard. I am thinking of dividing my astilbe plants & putting them there too. Your videos are so helpful to me.
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Amy
Alliums would be good to add. You can find some that bloom early and different varieties for bloom clear into fall. I-ve really been enjoying mine. They come in white, purple, blue and mauve.
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Alliums would be good to add. You can find some that bloom early and different varieties for bloom clear into fall. I-ve really been enjoying mine. They come in white, purple, blue and mauve.
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Tracy
Would you consider adding grape hyacinths to the mix? Affordable in bulk, easy to plant, naturalize and spread pretty quickly
and the pop of blue would be gorgeous
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Would you consider adding grape hyacinths to the mix? Affordable in bulk, easy to plant, naturalize and spread pretty quickly
and the pop of blue would be gorgeous
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