Division 2: Large-Cupped Daffodils

Large-cupped daffodils are the largest and most popular group of garden daffodils. Over half of all registered narcissus cultivars are this type. A search of any bulb catalog or website will usually show more large cupped daffodils than any other type.

Large-cupped daffodils,division 2 of the narcissus classification system, are also referred to as long-cupped or long-crowned daffodils.Like trumpet daffodils,large-cupped narcissus bulbs produce one large flower per stem.

The difference between large cups and trumpets in daffodil flowers can sometimes be hard to distinguish at first glance. In large-cupped daffodils the cup is longer than one-third but shorter than the length of the petal segments.

Most of the daffodils in the large-cupped narcissus group are great naturalizers,meaning they will grow and multiply without much intervention from the gardener. Plant them in a wooded area or in a large group on the edge of your lawn and they have the appearance of wildflowers.They are also good bulbs for the flower border.

Most gardeners will be able to find a large-cupped daffodil that will do well in their climate.Here are some popular large-cupped daffodils that you can order now to plant as soon as they arrive:

Large-Cupped Daffodil Bulbs

California Large-Cupped Daffodil
California is an improved version of the popular Carlton daffodil which was first sold in 1927. California has a long cup that almost qualifies as a trumpet. Like Carlton,the golden, vanilla scented California daffodil should do well in Southern gardens. California daffodils bloom in the early spring.

Riot Large Cupped Daffodil
Riot is a brand new daffodil for 2009.Its coral pink cup lays almost flat against the white petals. Unlike most large cup daffodils,Riot is a late season bloomer. This narcissus would look beautiful planted with tulips or grape hyacinths.

Curly Large Cupped Daffodil
Curly is an unusual daffodil with a dark yellow,almost orange,ruffled cup and bright white petals. A mid-season bloomer, Curly is a newer variety and is sometimes called "Amadeus Mozart."

Large Cupped Daffodil Ice Follies
Ice Follies was introduced in 1953 and has since become one of the most popular daffodils in the world. Its open,pleated corona(cup)flares outward and lays flat against the crisp white perianth(petals).The cup starts out lemon yellow and eventually fades to a soft ivory. Ice Follies produces a long lasting flower that holds up well to harsh late winter weather. This daffodil is very early blooming,sometimes blooming in February in Zone 7 and as early as January in Zone 8.

Next up: Division 3,the Small-cupped daffodils