Types of Daffodils: A Complete Classification Guide

Daffodil Divisions – The Perfect Perennial in Many Forms

If you invented the perfect perennial, it would be beautiful, hardy, easy-care, indestructible, increasing annually, thriving in varied conditions including light shade, and ignored by deer, rodents, and insects. That perennial exists: Narcissus, the daffodil.

Trumpet Daffodils

Classic single large flower per stem; trumpet (corona) as long as or longer than outer petals. Best for bedding. Generally perform better in middle/northern states than Deep South. Most have gray-green foliage ½–1 inch wide.

Large-Cupped Daffodils

Workhorses of the daffodil world—good for bedding, picking, naturalizing, forcing, showing. Full color range: white, every shade of yellow, orange, red, pink. One flower per stem.

Double Daffodils

Central cluster of petals instead of trumpet, rose-like form. 1–20 flowers per stem. Good for show, bedding, picking.

Jonquilla Daffodils

Love hot, baking summer sun. Well-adapted to Deep South but thrive in cooler areas. Naturalize well, creating sweeps of color. Several small, fragrant flowers per stem above narrow, grassy, dark green leaves.

Miniature Daffodils

Every flower form in petite package (usually ≤6 inches). Excellent for rock gardens, border fronts, niches between tree roots, forcing, patio containers (protect from freezing north of Zone 7). Bulbs vary but all are largest grade, producing 2+ flower stems per bulb.

Poeticus Daffodils

Large white petals like flowering dogwood, tiny red-rimmed cup, spicy fragrance. Among last narcissus to bloom—perfumed finale. Best in cooler regions; excellent for naturalizing, borders, bouquets. Many are heirlooms.

Small-Cupped Daffodils

Crisp, brilliant colors; long-lived. Great for naturalizing and mixed borders. Single flower per stem; cup ≤1/3 length of outer petals. Wonderful for cutting.

Split-Corona Daffodils

Cup split ≥ half its length, creating open face instead of trumpet. Many resemble hibiscus. One of showiest groups for mass plantings; large up-facing blossoms give more color per dollar.

Tazetta Daffodils

Many small flowers per stem, musky sweet fragrance. Particularly good for Deep South. Excellent perennializers; also good for forcing, bedding, picking.

Triandrus Daffodils

2+ nodding, fuchsia-like blossoms per stem; outer petals swept back. Delicious fruity fragrance. Great for bedding, rock gardens, cutting.