Daffodil Societies Around the World

There are daffodil societies just about everywhere. They have great information about daffodils, shows and events, and gardening tips. You can join, start up your own club or visit their websites for information. Here are some links for you to check out:

American Daffodil Society - http://www.daffodilusa.org/

Florida Daffodil Society - http://www.fladaff.com/

Georgia Daffodil Society - http://www.gadaffsoc.org/

Great Britain Daffodil Society - http://thedaffodilsociety.com/

Kentucky Daffodil Society - http://www.kentuckydaffodilsociety.org/

Middle Tennessee Daffodil Society - http://middletndaffodilsociety.org/

Midwest USA Daffodil Society - http://www.midwestdaffodil.org/

Minnesota Daffodil Society - http://daffodilminnesota.org/

Northern California Daffodil Society - http://www.daffodil.org/

Northern Illinois Daffodil Society - http://gardencentral.org/illinois/nidaffodilsociety/

St. Louis Daffodil Society - http://stldaffodilclub.org/

Texas Daffodil Society - http://www.texasdaffodilsociety.org/

Washington DC Daffodil Society - http://washingtondaffodilsociety.org/

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Daffodils, Narcissus, Paperwhites & Jonquils - What's the Correct Name?

This flower has many names. It all depends upon where you live, what language you speak, and who you are!

According to botanists these flowers are a genus within the lily family and are called "Narcissus," named after the boy in Greek mythology who became obsessed with his own reflection in a pool of water. One version of this story says he fell into the water and drowned. Another version says he died of starvation and thirst while sitting by the edge of the pool while gazing at his reflection. Both versions claim that the first Narcissus plant grew from the spot where the boy died.

There are two theories as to the word "daffodil." One version is that the flower was named after "Dafydd," a Welsh form of the name "David." In Wales, it is a tradition to wear this beautiful flower on Saint David's Day, March 1st. Another version for the naming of this flower is derived from the word "Affodell", a variant of the Dutch "Asphodel."

The name "Jonquil" is sometimes used in the southeastern part of the USA to describe all daffodils. This name actually belongs to the species, "Narcissus Jonquilla" which has clusters of small yellow flowers:

Flowers of the "Narcissus Papyraceus" species are commonly called "Paperwhites" and have clusters of small white flowers:

Plant Your Bulbs!

Last September I bought some Ranunculus and planted them because the package said September through December was okay. September was still warm and they came up right away and then froze and died.

This year I am smarter. I bought more Ranunculus and this time I waited. The plants need to be planted just before the cold comes. They need to settle in but not get too comfortable. I planted them today - in groupings that circle a small Rose-of-Sharon that I'm training into a tree.

Now's the time to put the bulbs in for next Spring. Make sure the holes are about 4 times the size of the bulb deep. Make sure it's not a watery area like near where the rain gutters dump off.

I just love bi-color tulips, big yellow daffodils, hyacinths that smell so good, and big scatterings of little bulbs like crocus. A few years ago I bought a dried up pack of Siberian Squill for a quarter. The bulbs will still good and survived and multiplied. I love their tiny blue flowers!

So help me if November and December is mild and those Ranunculus come up I will scream! I'll owe you a picture next Spring if this all works out. Knock on wood, cross your fingers!