SKU: 00840369421852 20 Ice King Daffodil Narcissus Bulbs

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming, bulbous herbaceous perennial producing sturdy flowering stems surrounded by narrow, strap-shaped green foliage. Typically reaches 14–18 inches tall and approximately 4–6 inches wide per flowering clump. Mature bulbs generally produce one large, double flower per stem, although established bulbs may produce multiple flowering shoots.

• Bloom Color: Produces magnificent creamy white to ivory-white outer petals surrounding a densely layered, lemon-yellow center. The central petals are beautifully ruffled and folded, creating a full, peony-like appearance. As the flowers mature, their yellow coloring gradually fades to pale cream or nearly white, providing an attractive color-changing display.

• Bloom Size: Large, fully double flowers may reach approximately 3–4 inches across, creating an impressive display above the slender foliage.

• Bloom Time: Flowers primarily during mid-spring, generally from March through April, depending on climate and local growing conditions. In cooler regions, flowering may continue into May. Individual blossoms can remain attractive for approximately 1–2 weeks, with cool spring temperatures helping extend the display.

• Fragrance: Lightly fragrant. Ice King Daffodils may produce a delicate, pleasant floral scent, although fragrance is generally subtle rather than overpowering. Their beautiful flowers make them especially desirable for spring bouquets and decorative containers.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Following successful pollination, flowers may develop dry seed capsules containing numerous seeds. These have no desirable flavor or culinary value and should not be consumed.

• Culinary Uses: Not edible. Ice King Daffodils are cultivated strictly as ornamental flowering bulbs. All parts of the plant, including the flowers, foliage, bulbs, and seeds, contain potentially toxic compounds and should never be used in cooking, beverages, or edible decorations.

• Medicinal Uses: Certain Narcissus species contain naturally occurring alkaloids that have been studied for pharmaceutical applications. However, Ice King Daffodil has no established safe home medicinal uses. Its bulbs and other plant tissues contain toxic compounds and should not be consumed or used in homemade herbal remedies.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets or Humans: Toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans if ingested. Daffodils contain alkaloids, including lycorine, with the highest concentrations generally found in the bulbs. Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and abdominal discomfort. Large exposures may cause more serious symptoms, including weakness, low blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms. Handling bulbs or freshly cut stems may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Wear gloves when planting and keep bulbs away from children and pets.

• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Highly resistant to deer, rabbits, and many rodents because of the plant's naturally toxic and unpalatable compounds. This makes Ice King an excellent alternative to tulips in gardens where wildlife browsing is a concern. Its flowers may attract early-season bees and other pollinators when nectar and pollen are accessible, although the densely doubled blossoms can make them less accessible than single-flowered daffodils. Occasional pests include aphids, slugs, snails, and bulb mites. Poor drainage can contribute to bulb rot and fungal diseases.

• USDA Planting Zones: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 3–8, with some sources extending its range into Zone 9. Ice King performs best in climates that provide sufficient winter chilling for dependable spring flowering. In regions with very mild winters, flowering may be less reliable.

• Sun Preferences: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily during its active growing season. Full sun encourages strong flowering stems, abundant blooms, and healthy bulb development. Light partial shade is tolerated, particularly beneath deciduous trees that leaf out after daffodils have finished blooming.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Ice King Daffodils tolerate relatively dry conditions during their summer dormancy period but require adequate moisture during fall root development and active spring growth. Prolonged drought during flowering may reduce bloom quality. Avoid excessive watering, particularly after the foliage has died back.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers fertile, loose, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, although it tolerates a range of soil conditions. Performs particularly well in sandy or loamy soil enriched with organic matter. Heavy clay soil should be improved for drainage or planted in raised beds. Avoid locations where water accumulates during winter or summer.

• When to Prune: Remove spent flowers after blooming in mid- to late spring. Allow foliage to remain intact until it naturally turns yellow and dies back, generally 6–8 weeks after flowering.

• How to Prune: Once flowers fade, remove the spent flower heads or cut the flowering stems near their bases using clean pruning shears. Do not remove healthy green foliage immediately after flowering. The leaves continue photosynthesizing and replenishing energy reserves in the bulbs for the following year's blooms. Once the foliage turns completely yellow or brown, gently remove it or trim it to ground level.

• Growth Rate: Moderate during the growing season. Bulbs establish roots during fall and winter, followed by rapid foliage and flower development in spring. Healthy bulbs gradually produce offsets that can develop into additional flowering plants.

• Perennializing Ability: Excellent under favorable conditions. Ice King Daffodils can return and bloom for multiple seasons when planted in sunny or lightly shaded locations with excellent drainage. Established bulbs gradually multiply, creating attractive naturalized clumps over time.

• Cut Flower Uses: Excellent for fresh-cut flower arrangements. Their large, densely layered white-and-yellow blossoms resemble miniature peonies and add elegant color to spring bouquets. Harvest stems when the flower buds are beginning to open for the longest possible vase life. Daffodil stems release sap that may shorten the vase life of other flowers, so condition freshly cut daffodils separately in water before combining them with other blooms.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for spring flower beds, cottage gardens, woodland borders, cutting gardens, decorative containers, mass plantings, and naturalized landscapes. Their cheerful flowers provide beautiful early-season color and complement a wide variety of spring-flowering plants.

Planting Instructions from Bulbs into the Ground

• Best Planting Time: Plant Ice King Daffodil bulbs in fall, generally from September through November, approximately 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes. In warmer climates, planting may extend into December. Fall planting allows bulbs to establish roots during cooler weather and receive the winter chilling necessary for spring flowering.

• Choose a Location: Select a planting site receiving full sun to partial shade, preferably with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily during the growing season. Choose an area with excellent drainage and protection from prolonged standing water.

• Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of approximately 10–12 inches, removing weeds, rocks, and debris. Incorporate compost or other well-decomposed organic matter if necessary to improve soil structure, fertility, and drainage.

• Dig the Hole: Dig a planting hole approximately 6–8 inches deep, measured from the soil surface to the bottom of the bulb. Adjust planting depth according to bulb size and soil conditions.

• Position the Bulb: Place the daffodil bulb in the planting hole with the pointed end facing upward and the flatter, root-producing end facing downward. Proper orientation encourages healthy root development and upright spring growth.

• Planting Depth: Cover the bulb with approximately 6 inches of soil, adjusting according to bulb size. A useful guideline is to plant bulbs at a depth approximately two to three times their height.

• Spacing: Space bulbs approximately 4–6 inches apart for an attractive, full display. For natural-looking plantings, arrange bulbs in irregular groups rather than straight rows.

• Backfill: Gently fill the planting hole with soil, lightly firming it to eliminate large air pockets without excessively compacting the planting area.

• Water Thoroughly: Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil and encourage root development. Continue watering occasionally during prolonged dry periods in fall and winter, but avoid consistently saturated soil.

• Mulching: Apply approximately 2–3 inches of organic mulch over the planting area after the soil cools to help regulate soil temperature, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds. In colder climates, mulch can help protect bulbs from repeated freezing and thawing.

• Fertilization: Apply a light application of balanced, slow-release bulb fertilizer at planting time or in early spring as new growth emerges. Follow product instructions and avoid placing concentrated fertilizer directly against bulbs. Excessive nitrogen may encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

• Spring Growth: As temperatures warm, narrow green leaves emerge from the soil, followed by sturdy flowering stems bearing large, ruffled white-and-yellow blossoms. Maintain moderate soil moisture during active growth and flowering.

• Protecting Bulbs from Wildlife: Ice King Daffodils are naturally resistant to deer, rabbits, and many rodents. Their toxic compounds make them less attractive to browsing wildlife than tulips and many other spring bulbs. However, protective barriers may still be helpful in gardens where animals frequently disturb newly planted areas.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• Zones 3–5: Ice King Daffodils are generally cold-hardy and can remain in the ground throughout winter. Apply approximately 2–3 inches of mulch after the soil begins to freeze to help protect bulbs from extreme temperature fluctuations. Ensure excellent drainage to prevent winter bulb rot.

• Zones 6–7: Bulbs typically overwinter successfully without extensive protection. A light layer of mulch may help regulate soil temperatures and conserve moisture. Avoid excessive winter watering.

• Zone 8: Bulbs generally overwinter successfully when planted in well-drained soil. In regions with mild winters, choose locations that provide sufficient winter chilling for dependable flowering.

• Zones 9–10: Ice King Daffodils may not receive sufficient winter chilling for reliable flowering in warmer climates. Gardeners may need to treat bulbs as seasonal flowers or purchase bulbs prepared for warm-climate planting. Unlike tulips, many daffodils are less predictable when artificially chilled, so choose cultivars suited to local conditions whenever possible.

• Fall Maintenance: Plant bulbs before the ground freezes and water thoroughly after planting. Apply mulch if necessary to protect the planting area from temperature fluctuations.

• Winter Dormancy: Bulbs remain underground during winter while developing roots and preparing for spring growth. Some foliage may emerge during mild winter weather, particularly in warmer climates.

• Late Winter/Early Spring: Remove excessively thick mulch if necessary to allow emerging shoots to grow freely. Apply a light feeding of bulb fertilizer if soil fertility is inadequate.

• Spring Flowering: Flower stalks emerge above narrow green foliage and produce spectacular double blossoms featuring creamy white petals and ruffled yellow centers. Maintain moderate moisture during flowering, especially during extended dry periods.

• After Flowering: Remove faded flower heads but leave the foliage intact. Continue watering moderately while the leaves remain green, allowing bulbs to replenish their stored energy.

• Summer Dormancy: As temperatures rise, foliage naturally turns yellow and dies back. Once leaves have completely withered, reduce watering significantly. Bulbs remain dormant underground until the next growing cycle.

• Dividing Bulbs: Established bulbs gradually produce offsets. If clumps become overcrowded or flowering declines, lift and divide the bulbs after the foliage has completely died back. Separate healthy offsets and replant them in fall.

• Long-Term Flowering: Ice King Daffodils can return for many years when grown in suitable conditions. Full sun or light partial shade, excellent drainage, and allowing foliage to mature naturally encourage healthy bulbs and dependable flowering.

Additional Growing Tips

Ice King Daffodils are especially beautiful in cottage gardens, spring flower borders, woodland landscapes, cutting gardens, decorative containers, and dramatic mass plantings. Their elegant white-and-yellow blossoms pair wonderfully with purple tulips, blue hyacinths, grape hyacinths, pansies, forget-me-nots, and other spring-flowering plants.

For a particularly impressive display, plant Ice King Daffodil bulbs in groups of ten, twenty, or more. Large groupings create beautiful waves of creamy white and buttery yellow, showcasing the spectacular fullness of their double blossoms.

Garden Tip: Ice King Daffodils are an excellent choice for gardeners who want beautiful spring flowers without the constant worry of deer and rabbit damage. Their natural wildlife resistance makes them especially valuable for woodland gardens, rural landscapes, and naturalized planting areas.

Important Growing Consideration: Because Ice King produces large, densely layered double flowers, its blossoms may become heavy during prolonged rainfall or strong winds. Planting in a location sheltered from severe weather can help maintain their beautiful appearance throughout the blooming season.

Cut Flower Tip: When arranging Ice King Daffodils with other flowers, place freshly cut daffodil stems in a separate container of water for several hours before combining them with other blooms. Avoid recutting the stems afterward unless you repeat the conditioning process, as newly cut stems release sap that can negatively affect other flowers.

Safety Reminder: Daffodil bulbs contain toxic alkaloids and should never be consumed. Always wear gloves when handling bulbs, wash your hands after planting, and store unplanted bulbs where children and pets cannot reach them.