31 Daffodil Varieties to Brighten Up Your Spring Garden

Spring bulbs are one of my favorite things to see in gardens. After a long winter, there is nothing quite like seeing a sunny yellow daffodil emerge.

When choosing daffodils for your garden, explore different shapes, sizes, and colors. Varieties offer slightly different bloom times throughout the spring, accenting and harmonizing with your other plantings. Stagger the colors, sizes, and bloom times to create a stunning floral display. 

Here, we’ll explore 31 beautiful daffodil varieties that will bring life to your spring garden and return every year.

Accent

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Accent’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Accent’ is a pretty variety. The outer petals are a crisp white, and the inner cup is peachy pink. The contrast between the outside and the inside of this variety really makes it stand out.

It is 12”-24” tall, making it a medium-height variety. It blooms in mid to late spring. Plant it in masses or in groupings throughout your garden. This flower looks lovely paired with the peachy-colored ‘Angelique’ tulip. It is a late-blooming variety too, so both should bloom at similar times. 

Barrett Browning

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Barrett Browning’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Barrett Browning’ is named after the English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It is a small-cupped daffodil known for its delicate beauty and soft colors. The outer petals are a creamy white color. The middle cup is ruffled and is a deep golden-yellow color with a slightly darker margin. 

They grow 12”-24” tall and will spread and naturalize throughout your garden. The delicate golden tones of this daffodil would look lovely with the soft lavender tones of ‘Blue Pearl’ hyacinth. Both are mid-spring blooming bulbs and should be up and blooming around the same time.

Blushing Lady

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Blushing Lady’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10-16”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Blushing Lady’ is as elegant as its name suggests. It has light, buttery yellow flowers with a soft, blushing pink trumpet cup. They will bloom two to three flowers per stem.

‘Blushing Lady’ is mid-height, growing to around 16” tall. It is a late spring blooming daffodil. There is a variety of late-blooming tulips called ‘Blushing Lady’, and I think they were meant for each other. They both have the same buttery yellow and blushing pink colors, but they have different flower shapes.

Bridal Crown

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Bridal Crown’ is a double-flowering variety of daffodils. The outer petals are a creamy white color. The inside is a ruffled explosion of white ruffles bursting out of a golden yellow center. The layers and folds of these flowers are intricate and beautiful enough to be a spring bridal bouquet.

They grow up to 24” high and bloom in mid to late spring. They can be planted and cut for a bridal bouquet. Or plant them next to ‘Bloom-A-Thon’ Pink Double reblooming azalea. The burst of double flowers on the daffodils and the azaleas will turn your spring garden into a wonderland.

Carlton

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Carlton’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Carlton’ is a variety of daffodils that you picture in your head when you think of daffodils. Its flowers are golden yellow with a long and narrow golden cup in the center. Their rich vanilla fragrance which makes them a great choice for containers near seating areas.

‘Carlton’ grows 12″-24” high and will bloom in mid-spring. It naturalizes easily, so it can be used to cover large areas and fill in spaces in your garden. Plant it with ‘White Dream’ tulips, which bloom mid to late spring, for a dreamy white and yellow floral display.

Cheerfulness

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Cheerfulness’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Cheerfulness’ is a sweet, dreamy double-flowering variety. It features white petals with a frilly center. The center is flecked with yellow. The flowers are small and highly fragrant. This makes them a great choice for containers.

They grow up to 24” high, and they bloom in late spring. They would look sweet with other later blooming bulbs like allium. The big purple orbs of allium would pair nicely with the ruffled white and yellow daffodil.

Dutch Master

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Dutch Master’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you have an image of a daffodil in your mind that is large and yellow and perfect. You may be thinking about ‘Dutch Master.’ This variety features large golden yellow flowers with that perfect center trumpet-shaped cup. 

They are an early to mid-spring blooming variety. They can grow up to 24” tall with large flowers that are around four inches across. I would plant them with other cheery spring bulbs like light purple muscari.

February Gold

	botanical name Narcissus ‘February Gold’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘February Gold’ is a sweet little variety that is always among the first spring blooms. It features small yellow flowers with a long and narrow trumpet-shaped cup. It is a great first food source for pollinators.

It’s a small variety that only grows 8″-12” tall. It naturalizes nicely and will always be a welcome sight in early spring. Plant it with other early bloomers, such as hepatica or snowdrops.

Fortune

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Fortune’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Fortune’ is a variety with a large flower. It has six outer petals in a buttery yellow color. Then, the inner cup is deep golden orange. The contrast is lovely, and it adds a splash of color to your spring garden.

‘Fortune’ grows 12″-24” in height with large flowers measuring around 4” across. They bloom in mid-spring. Plant it with an orange tulip to highlight its orange center. ‘Desert Sun’ would make a great companion.

Geranium

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Geranium’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Geranium’ is a tazetta or a bunch-flowered variety that packs a big punch in the garden. They have papery white outer petals with a bright golden cup in the center. Each stem can produce a cluster of five or more flowers. It makes a great choice for containers because you can squeeze so many flowers into a small area.

This standard-height mid to late-spring blooming variety makes the perfect companion to brightly colored tulips. ‘Orange Emperor’ would look great planted with ‘Geranium’ daffodils. The orange tulip would make the center cup of the daffodil pop.

Hawera

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Hawera’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Hawera’ is a nodding variety of daffodil. Its sweet yellow flowers have widely spaced narrow petals with a small yellow cup in the center. The flower nods downwards, bobbing and swaying with the breeze.

‘Hawera’ is a small variety, only growing 6″-8” with small clusters of flowers. It blooms in early to mid-spring. It would make a great filler flower in a spring bouquet since it produces a lot of flowers per stem. Or pair it with other small bulbs like muscari. This combination would make a cheerful spring garden border.

Hoop Petticoat

	botanical name Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Hoop Petticoat’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-10”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Hoop Petticoat’, also sometimes called ‘Golden Bells’, is a very unique variety. You might not even think it’s a daffodil. This pure yellow variety has the usual six outer petals that daffodils have. But they are tiny blades that are not the main feature. The cup is a large bell shape that points upwards. Then the stems and foliage are narrow and grassy.

This is a small variety, only reaching 10” in height. But it is very unique. It blooms in early to mid-spring. I think it is best suited to simple border plantings and containers.

Ice Follies

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Ice Follies’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Ice Follies’ is a large-cupped variety of daffodil. It features six large white outer petals. Then the inner cup is large and ruffled and tinted a buttery yellow color.

It is an early to mid-spring blooming variety that grows tall, up to 24”. It is a soft, lovely variety. I think it would pair well with a bold variety of daffodil like ‘Dutch Master’.

Ice King

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Ice King’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 16-18”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Ice King’ is a unique variety of large-cupped daffodils that is sure to draw attention. It is a white variety with large outer white petals. The cup of this variety is a mass of fluffy petals with a soft, buttery yellow tint in the center.

This double variety blooms in early to mid-spring. It grows 16-18” in height with large 4” flower heads. This variety is so unique it can make a statement on its own. Or try planting it with a low-growing primrose variety such as ‘Wanda.’ The simple deep pink petals and sunny yellow center of the primrose will compliment the yellow, more complex blooms of the ‘Ice King’ daffodil.

Ice Wings

	botanical name Narcissus triandrus ‘Ice Wings’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Ice Wings’ is a nodding variety. It is pure white with thin, long outer petals and a narrow, deep trumpet cup that points downwards. It’s a sweet variety, great for woodland gardens.

This mid-sized variety blooms in mid to late spring. Try using it as a border on a pathway. The bright white flowers will naturally illuminate your pathway at night. Or add groupings of them along the path to brighten it up and show the way.

Jack Snipe

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Jack Snipe’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-10”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Jack Snipe’ is a small variety of daffodils. It features white outer petals that tilt backward. Then it has a long narrow cup that is almost neon yellow. This sweet miniature variety looks great in cheery spring containers.

‘Jack Snipe’ is an early to mid-spring blooming variety. It only grows to 10” tall, making it a great choice for borders and containers. It would pair nicely with small blue or white muscaris.

Jetfire

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Jetfire’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-10”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Jetfire’ is a unique variety. Its outer petals are yellow, and they curve upwards. It has a long, narrow snout of a cup that points downwards. The bell-shaped center is a golden amber color. The fiery orange center looks like a flame bursting out of a jet, sending the petals flying upwards.

‘Jetfire’ is a smaller variety, reaching 10” tall. It blooms in early to mid-spring. I think this unique variety looks great, filling window boxes and containers for spring. Use it in flower beds with sweet ‘Frost’ pansies in front of them.

King Alfred

	botanical name Narcissus ‘King Alfred’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 16-22”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Named after Alfred the Great, ‘King Alfred’ is a large variety that lives up to its royal name. It boasts large 4” flowers on tall, sturdy stems. This is a classic variety with large yellow outer petals and a wide trumpet-shaped cup of the same color. The inner cup has jagged edges, so it resembles a sun in the center.

‘King Alfred’ is a large variety, growing almost two feet tall. You don’t need a ton of them to add impact. Just a few groups strategically placed throughout your garden will add height and color to your spring garden.

Lemon Beauty

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Lemon Beauty’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15-17”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Lemon Beauty’ is a unique variety. It has large white outer petals. But it doesn’t have the prominent trumpet-shaped cup that we associate with daffodils. It has another smaller five-petaled flower that creates a yellow star in the center of the white flower.

‘Lemon Beauty’ is a medium-sized mid-spring blooming variety. Group it with other mid-spring varieties, like ‘Dutch Master’ and ‘Ice Follies’. Both are similar in color, yellow and white. But the shape of the daffodil is different, which adds interest. 

Mallee

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Mallee’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 14-16”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Mallee’ is a special variety. One of my favorites. It starts as many daffodils do, with six white outer petals. From there, it has a sunburst center which explodes from buttery yellow out into a soft peachy salmon. It is ruffly and beautiful.

‘Mallee’ is over a foot tall and blooms in early to mid-spring. I would love to see it planted in groupings with an ‘Apricot Parrot’ parrot tulip. The ruffled peachy pedals of the parrot tulip would look magical next to the salmon-colored ‘Mallee’ tulip.

Minnow

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Minnow’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Minnow’ looks like a cartoon drawing of a daffodil. Their outer leaves are six perfect petals in a pale, buttery yellow color. The inside is a perfect round cup that is a few shades darker yellow. Many flowers bloom from single stems. Making them cheerful little clusters of flowers.

These cheery little daffodils only grow to around 8” tall. Draw attention to their beautiful scent by placing them on tables and around seating areas. They bloom early to mid-spring. Once I’m finished with container bulbs, I plant them in the ground in fall. ‘Minnow’ is great for naturalizing. 

Mount Hood

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Mount Hood’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 16-20”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Mount Hood’ is the gold standard for large-flowered white daffodils. It is a bit of a color-changing marvel. It begins with a butter-yellow trumpet that fades to white as the season wears on.

‘Mount Hood is a big white daffodil. Its flower is 4” across, and it stands almost two feet high. It blooms in mid-spring. It would look great planted in groupings. Along pathways to brighten up a moonlit stroll. Or pair it with a fancy variety of tulips like ‘Enchanted Evening’ tulip mix that comes in shades of purple and lots of varying textures.

Poet’s Daffodil

	botanical name Narcissus poeticus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-17”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Poet’s daffodil is a unique species of daffodil that goes by a few different names, including poet’s daffodil, pheasant’s eye, and pinkster lily. It is a very old daffodil and is the flower associated with Narcissus of Greek mythology. It features white outer petals and a small trumpet center. The center is green in the very center, then it turns yellow and finishes with a red margin. 

Poet’s daffodil grows to 12-17 inches tall that blooms in late spring. Because of the slight red margin, consider planting it next to a late-blooming tulip-like ‘Bombtastic Red’.

Riot

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Riot’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-26”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Riot’ is a lover’s daffodil. It has bright white outer petals with a salmon to scarlet red cup. The queen of hearts herself would approve of this combination!

It is a medium height, around two feet, that will bloom large flowers in mid-spring. Plant them in large groupings on their own.

Pipit

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Pipit’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Pipit’ is a jonquil daffodil that is small and sweet. It produces multiple flowers per stem. The outer petals are sunshine yellow, and the inner cup is white. The white of the inner cup is carried into the center of the outer petals. Sometimes even forming a white stripe through the middle of the yellow petals.

‘Pipit’ is a small variety under a foot tall. It is fragrant and is great to naturalize over large areas. It is also a fairly long-lasting bloom that starts in mid-spring and can last for five weeks.

Pink Charm

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Pink Charm’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18-20”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Pink Charm’ is a large trumpet variety of daffodil. Its outer petals are creamy white. The center trumpet is also white, with a peachy-pink margin. It is a romantic and beautiful variety.

‘Pink Charm’ rises to almost 2 feet in height, making it a tall statuesque beauty. Plant this mid-spring blooming variety in groupings throughout your garden. Or plant it with ‘Apricot Impression’ tulips. The peachy colors of the daffodils and tulips will complement each other.

Salome

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Salome’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Salome’ are the cutest daffodils. They have papery white petals and a yellow trumpet-shaped cup that fades to a soft salmon pink as they mature. 

‘Salome’ is a medium-height variety, reaching up to two feet in height. It blooms in early to mid-spring. It looks great planted in groupings throughout the garden. Or plant them in containers and watch their color change magic happen before your eyes.

Sir Winston Churchill

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Sir Winston Churchill’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Sir Winston Churchill’ is a variety named for the former prime minister of England. This double-flowering variety has creamy white petals and a yellow center filled with white petals. It is known for its strong, beautiful fragrance.

Plant this medium-height (12-24”) mid to late-spring blooming variety close to the seating area and pathways so you can enjoy the fragrance. They also make beautiful and fragrant bouquets to bring into the house.

Sweetness

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Sweetness’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-14”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Sweetness’ is an all-yellow variety with the quintessential daffodil look. It is pure yellow, with a prominent trumpet-shaped cup. There are multiple flowers per stem. This variety is highly fragrant, hence its sweet name.

This medium-height variety blooms in early to mid-spring. It is the perfect flower to plant with other spring bulbs like muscari, tulip, and hyacinth. 

Tahiti

	botanical name Narcissus ‘Tahiti’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Tahiti’ is a tropical-looking double variety of daffodil. It has buttery yellow outer and inner petals with a saffron orange center. 

‘Tahiti’ grows 12”-24” high and blooms in early to mid-spring. For a tropical garden vibe, try pairing them with ‘Rainbow Parrot’ tulips behind them. The parrot tulips will bloom mid to late spring so you will have a tropical bloom all through spring, with some overlap.

Tête-à-tête

‘Tête-à-tête’ is the sweetest miniature daffodil. It features multiple flowers per stem. The flowers are small, with bright yellow outer petals and a slightly darker trumpet. It is the most cheerful daffodil. A sure sign that spring is here.

‘Tête-à-tête’ is a short variety, only growing 6”-8” tall. It blooms early to mid-spring. The blooms are one of the longest-lasting of all daffodils. I usually plant this variety with muscari. The muscari are only slightly shorter, and together they are the perfect easter container display.