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March’s Birthflower: The Delightful Daffodil

March’s Birthflower: The Delightful Daffodil

Daffodil

Photo via http://ow.ly/Aq57309RzCQ

They’re bright, they’re cheerful, and they’re back … daffodils! With the arrival of March, it’s time to celebrate daffodils. I’m seeing so many daffodils popping up all around my neighborhood, and I hope you’re spotting them, too. These flowers are so hardy that they’ve been known to come up out of the earth with snow still on the ground. This week, I’m glad to honor this delightful flower.

Profile of a Daffodil

Daffodil is the common name for this bloom, but it’s also known as the narcissus. The name “narcissus” relates to a character in Greek mythology. The word on Narcissus is that he couldn’t stop looking adoringly at his beautiful reflection in the water, so next time you see a daffodil dip its delicate head in the wind, you may be reminded of Narcissus sitting by the water. This plentiful flower goes by several other names, too including Lent lily, jonquil, and paperwhite.

More Than Just a Yellow Bloom

Some botanists believe that there are more than 25,000 varieties of daffodil. Bright yellow daffodils are the most recognizable of all of the varieties, but this bloom comes in other colors, including pink, orange, and white. There is even a tricolor variety called the Poeticus daffodil. Every year, a gathering of Jack Snipe daffodils appear next to a beautiful tree near my home. I love to see their elegant white petals glowing in the sunshine.

Daffodil

Photo of a Poeticus Daffodil via https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Narcisa_0012.JPG

Where Do Daffodils Grow?

Daffodils are originally from western Europe and the Mediterranean. They can be seen growing all over North America with the exception of south Florida. These blooms can tolerate the cold and thrive in many types of soil.

Caring for These Remarkable Flowers

If you want to plant some daffodils, choose an area where they’ll receive full sun or a place with a just a little bit of shade. They grow best in well-draining soil. Be sure to leave at least three inches of space between your flowers so they have room to flourish. Daffodils can bloom for six weeks or six months: The length of the blooming period depends on the climate in your area.

Dazzling Daffodil Facts

  • Give someone a bouquet of daffodils and you’re wishing them happiness. But a gift of a single daffodil can indicate that bad luck is coming.
  • A bouquet of daffodils is the appropriate gift of flowers for a tenth wedding anniversary.
  • The sap of a daffodil is poisonous to dogs, squirrels, and even other flowers. If you want to put daffodils into a vase with other flowers, clip off the ends of the stems and soak them in cool water overnight: This reduces the amount of sap in your daffodils.
  • A lovely image of daffodils is featured in the classic poem I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth.
  • In China, daffodils represent good fortune, while in America, they represent hope.

The best thing about daffodils is that once you plant the bulbs, these flowers come up every year. They are a gift you give yourself and your neighbors every spring. Enjoy this beautiful harbinger of the season!

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