Narcissus Rip Van Winkle Daffodil Bulbs

Plant Rip Van Winkle daffodil bulbs in fall before the first frost, and in spring, this dwarf double-flowered narcissus blooms in greenish-yellow flowers with tons of finely divided petals, giving them the look of a chrysanthemum. A favorite of gardeners for 140 years, the petal-packed blooms, borne singly on slender stems rising 6 to 8 inches tall, look like little sunbursts in the garden and make memorable cut flowers for seasonal bouquets.

A Narcissus minor, commonly called daffodil, Rip Van Winkle has an upright, clumping habit. It multiplies and naturalizes easily, with its sprawling clumps of long, flat, strap-like foliage and showy blooms reappearing year after year, possibly for decades in ideal conditions with adequate space, sunlight, water, and fertilizer. Best planted in groups or masses, daffodils are versatile plants that work well in mixed beds, borders, and containers. Consider planting large sweeping drifts in open woodland areas, in masses under deciduous trees, and in smaller groupings in front of shrubs. They mix well with ground cover and other spring-blooming bulbs in the garden but can also be forced for indoor blooms in winter.

Rip Van Winkle is a cold hardy bulbous perennial that's easy to grow and maintain. Daffodils prefer areas with cool winters and warm, dry summers, but they grow well in most USDA Hardiness Zones, if there is a discernable winter. The plant grows best in sunny to partly shady locations with rich, fertile, well-draining soil having a neutral to acidic pH. Water daffodils during the growth period, but keep in mind, bulbs do not like wet feet. When planting, allow adequate space between bulbs and plant them at the proper depth: 4 to 6 inches apart and 4 to 6 inches deep. For robust flowering during the current season as well as the following year, feed bulbs with a well-balanced fertilizer, such as Espoma Organic® Bulb-tone® Bulb and Flower Food, as soon as growth begins in spring. After flowers bloom, allow foliage to die back naturally and cut back once fully faded. Rip Van Winkle daffodils are relatively pest-free and deer resistant.

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