Daffodil Companions: Dig Once, Plant Twice for Spring Spectacle

How many garden projects start with "as long as I'm digging..."? Before you know it, a corner garden swallows half the yard. But with spring-blooming daffodils, you can double your flower power without extra digging—just plant smaller companion bulbs simultaneously.

My rule: Dig once, plant twice. I never plant daffodils alone. If I'm digging a hole, I want maximum return.

The Technique

Bulbs go 2–3× their diameter deep. For daffodils, that's 4–6 inches. I plant in clumps (more natural than scattered singles)—faster to shovel a dozen holes for clumps of 5–7 bulbs (4–5 inches apart) than 100 individual holes. Odd numbers (3, 7) look better (grandma's artist rule). Add bulb food.

After placing daffodil bulbs and half-filling, you have the perfect depth for smaller bulbs around and between them. Consider color and bloom time.

Early Bloomers

Crocus around lower daffodil bulbs for color when daffodil leaves barely emerge. Snow crocus (C. chrysanthus), "tommies" (C. tommasinianus), C. sieberi bloom earliest; then Dutch/giant crocus (C. vernus). Daffodils hide fading crocus foliage—lovely succession.

Little Blue Bulbs

Wonderful accents for yellow/white daffodils. I plant in "sweeps" for bolder color. Keukenhof's famous "river" of grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) between 'Thalia' daffodils; my "streamlet" curves along 'Geranium' and 'Replete' daffodils.

Bloom Time Coordination

• Mid-late daffodils: Grape hyacinths, species tulips.
• Early daffodils: Scilla, Iris reticulata, windflowers (Anemone blanda).

Plant multiple varieties of both for extended combinations.

Beyond Bulbs: Perennial Partners

Last fall, I planted miniature daffodils around dwarf irises—delicate bells with bolder iris blooms. Daffodils pair well with spring perennials and late-emergers (daylilies, bronze fennel, peonies): daffodils show first; as foliage dies, summer perennials take over.

Shrub Companions

Azaleas, forsythia, japonica, lilacs echo daffodil colors. My dwarf 'Ramopo' rhododendron blooms with 'Tete a Tete' mini daffodils. With varied daffodils and little blue bulbs, something's always flowering when azaleas burst.

Whether ordering daffodils or perennials for fall planting, make digging do double duty. Add companion bulbs. Next spring: extra color splashes everywhere.

See DG articles: Gloria Cole on daffodils; Todd Boland on little blue flowers. Photos: Jill M. Nicolaus. (Editor's Note: Originally published September 18, 2008.)