SKU: 00840369422095 20 Narcissus 'Mount Hood' Trumpet Daffodil Bulbs

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming, spring-flowering bulbous perennial. Produces flowering stems and strap-shaped foliage in spring before entering summer dormancy.

• Daffodil Classification: Division 1 — Trumpet Daffodil, characterized by a prominent central trumpet approximately as long as or longer than the surrounding petals.

• Mature Height: Approximately 16–20 inches tall.

• Mature Spread: Approximately 6–12 inches per established clump, gradually increasing as bulbs multiply.

• Growth Rate: Moderate clump expansion, with vigorous seasonal growth during spring.

• Longevity: Long-lived perennial that can return for many years and form substantial clumps in favorable conditions.

• Bloom Color: Creamy-white outer petals with a central trumpet that opens pale greenish-yellow and gradually matures to ivory-white.

• Flower Form: Large, single, trumpet-shaped flowers with six broad petal-like segments surrounding a long, flared central corona.

• Flower Size: Approximately 4 inches across.

• Flowers Per Stem: Typically one large flower per flowering stem.

• Bloom Time: Mid-spring, generally March through April depending on climate.

• Bloom Duration: Approximately 1–2 weeks per flower under favorable conditions, with cooler temperatures helping extend the display.

• Fragrance: Lightly fragrant, with a subtle, pleasant scent that may vary with weather and temperature.

• Foliage: Narrow, strap-shaped, green leaves that emerge in early spring and naturally yellow after flowering.

• Winter Habit: Cold-hardy bulbous perennial. Bulbs remain underground during winter and resume growth as temperatures warm.

• Summer Dormancy: Foliage dies back after flowering, allowing the underground bulbs to rest during warmer months.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Pollinated flowers may develop dry seed capsules, but these have no recognized culinary fruit flavor.

• Culinary Uses: Not recommended for consumption. All parts of daffodils contain potentially harmful compounds, and their bulbs should never be confused with edible onions or garlic.

• Medicinal Uses: Certain Narcissus species have historical medicinal associations, and some compounds from the genus have been studied pharmaceutically. However, Mount Hood has no established safe home medicinal use. Do not consume or prepare any part of the plant for medicinal purposes.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested. Daffodils contain alkaloids, including lycorine, with the highest concentrations generally found in the bulbs.

• Pet Toxicity Symptoms: Possible symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, abdominal discomfort, and lethargy. Larger ingestions can cause more serious illness.

• Possible Toxicity to Humans: Harmful if ingested, particularly the bulbs. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

• Skin Irritation: Daffodil sap may cause contact dermatitis or skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Wearing gardening gloves is recommended.

• Deer Resistance: Excellent. Deer generally avoid daffodils because of their naturally bitter, toxic compounds.

• Rabbit Resistance: Excellent. Rabbits typically avoid daffodil foliage and flowers.

• Squirrel Resistance: Good. Daffodil bulbs are generally less attractive to squirrels and rodents than tulip bulbs, although digging disturbances can still occur.

• Pollinator Value: May attract early-season bees and other pollinating insects during mild spring weather.

• Pest Resistance: Generally excellent. Occasional pests include narcissus bulb flies, bulb mites, nematodes, slugs, and snails.

• Disease Concerns: Bulb rot and basal rot may occur in poorly drained soil. Good drainage and proper planting practices help reduce disease risks.

• USDA Planting Zones: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 3–8.

• Winter Chilling Requirements: Benefits from a natural winter cold period for dependable spring flowering.

• Sun Preferences: Full sun to partial shade, with approximately 6 hours of direct sunlight ideal for abundant flowering.

• Partial Shade: Tolerates light shade, particularly beneath deciduous trees before their spring foliage develops.

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate to good once established, particularly during summer dormancy. Adequate moisture is important during active spring growth.

• Water Requirements: Moderate moisture during fall root establishment and spring flowering. Avoid prolonged waterlogging.

• Soil Preferences: Fertile, loose, well-drained soil with moderate organic matter.

• Soil Adaptability: Grows well in sandy, loamy, and well-drained clay soils.

• Soil pH: Adaptable to slightly acidic, neutral, and slightly alkaline soils.

• Cut Flower Uses: Excellent. Its large, creamy-white trumpet blossoms make beautiful spring bouquets and floral arrangements.

• Landscape Uses: Ideal for perennial borders, cottage gardens, woodland edges, naturalized lawns, mass plantings, spring containers, and cutting gardens.

When & How to Prune

• Early Spring: Allow new foliage and flowering stems to emerge naturally. No pruning is necessary during active growth.

• During Flowering: Flowers may be harvested for bouquets, but leave most of the foliage intact to nourish the bulbs.

• Deadheading: After flowers fade, remove spent flower heads to prevent unnecessary seed production.

• After Flowering: Do not cut back healthy green foliage. Leaves continue photosynthesizing and storing energy for the following year's flowers.

• Foliage Dieback: Allow leaves to turn completely yellow or brown before removing them, generally about 6 weeks after flowering.

• Summer: Once foliage has naturally died back, remove dried leaves if desired and allow the bulbs to remain dormant.

• Fall: No pruning is necessary. Established bulbs begin developing new roots underground as temperatures cool.

• Winter: No pruning is required while the bulbs remain dormant.

Planting Instructions from Daffodil Bulbs into the Ground

• Best Planting Time: Plant in fall, generally September through November, before the ground freezes.

• Cold Climates: In USDA Zones 3–5, plant bulbs during September through October.

• Moderate Climates: In USDA Zones 6–7, plant during October through November.

• Warmer Climates: In USDA Zone 8, plant during late fall after soil temperatures have cooled.

• Choose a Planting Location: Select a sunny or lightly shaded location with excellent drainage.

• Sunlight: Provide full sun to partial shade, preferably at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

• Spacing: Space bulbs approximately 4–6 inches apart for a dense display or 6–8 inches apart when allowing clumps to expand naturally.

• Planting Depth: Plant standard-sized bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep, measuring from the soil surface to the bottom of the bulb. Adjust depth for smaller bulbs, generally planting at approximately two to three times the bulb's height.

• Prepare the Soil: Loosen soil approximately 10–12 inches deep, removing weeds, rocks, and compacted material.

• Improve Drainage: Incorporate compost into poor soil. For heavy clay, consider raised beds or other drainage improvements.

• Identify the Bulb Orientation: Daffodil bulbs have a pointed growing tip and a broader, flatter basal plate where roots emerge.

• Position the Bulb: Place each bulb with its pointed tip facing upward and the basal plate facing downward.

• Backfill Carefully: Cover bulbs with loose soil and gently firm the surface to eliminate large air pockets.

• Water Thoroughly: Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil and encourage root development.

• Mulching: Apply approximately 2–3 inches of loose organic mulch after soil temperatures cool to help moderate winter temperature fluctuations.

• Winter Root Development: Bulbs develop roots underground during fall and winter.

• Spring Emergence: Green, strap-shaped foliage begins emerging during late winter or early spring.

• Spring Flowering: Large trumpet-shaped blossoms open with pale yellow centers that gradually mature to creamy white.

• After Flowering: Deadhead spent flowers while allowing foliage to remain until it naturally yellows.

• Summer Dormancy: Once foliage dies back, bulbs enter dormancy and generally require little supplemental watering.

• Naturalizing: Leave established bulbs undisturbed to encourage gradual multiplication and larger flowering clumps.

Fertilizing Mount Hood Daffodils

• At Planting: Incorporate compost into the planting area and apply a suitable bulb fertilizer if soil fertility is low.

• Avoid Direct Contact: Never place concentrated fertilizer directly against bulbs.

• Early Spring: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as foliage emerges if needed.

• After Flowering: A light application of bulb fertilizer may help replenish nutrient reserves.

• Avoid Excess Nitrogen: Excess nitrogen can encourage leafy growth while reducing flowering performance.

• Water After Fertilizing: Water lightly after applying granular fertilizer to help nutrients move into the soil.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• Fall: Plant healthy daffodil bulbs in well-drained soil after temperatures cool.

• Late Fall: Water after planting to encourage root development.

• Winter: Bulbs remain underground and undergo the cold period needed for spring flowering.

• Cold Climates: Established bulbs generally overwinter successfully in well-drained soil. Mulch can help moderate repeated freezing and thawing.

• Late Winter: Bulbs begin producing new growth as soil temperatures gradually rise.

• Early Spring: Narrow green foliage emerges, followed by sturdy flowering stems.

• Mid-Spring: Large, trumpet-shaped blossoms open pale yellow and gradually mature to ivory-white.

• After Flowering: Remove spent flowers while allowing foliage to continue growing.

• Late Spring: Leaves gradually yellow as the bulbs replenish their energy reserves.

• Summer: Allow bulbs to rest in relatively dry soil during dormancy.

• Following Fall: Established bulbs resume root development as temperatures cool.

Additional Growing Tips

Beautiful Color Transformation: Mount Hood is especially admired for its large flowers that open with pale greenish-yellow trumpets and gradually become creamy white. This elegant transformation makes it one of the most recognizable white trumpet daffodils.

Excellent for Naturalizing: Mount Hood can return year after year when planted in suitable conditions. Established bulbs gradually multiply, creating larger clumps and increasingly impressive spring displays.

Plant in Groups: For the greatest visual impact, plant Mount Hood bulbs in clusters of 6–25 or more rather than individually.

Excellent Companion Plants: Mount Hood pairs beautifully with blue grape hyacinths, purple crocuses, pink tulips, white hyacinths, pansies, and early-flowering perennials.

Wildlife-Resistant Choice: Daffodils are generally avoided by deer and rabbits, making Mount Hood a useful alternative to tulips in gardens experiencing heavy browsing pressure.

Planting Depth Matters: Plant bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep with the pointed tips facing upward. Proper planting depth supports healthy root development and dependable flowering.

Allow Foliage to Mature: Never cut down green daffodil leaves immediately after flowering. The foliage must remain until it naturally yellows to replenish the bulbs' energy reserves.

Divide Overcrowded Clumps: If flowering decreases after several years, lift and divide crowded clumps after the foliage has died back. Replant healthy bulbs at the proper depth.

Avoid Excess Summer Moisture: Daffodils prefer well-drained soil and generally tolerate relatively dry conditions during summer dormancy.

Cut Flower Tip: Harvest flowers when the buds begin opening. Place freshly cut daffodil stems in water separately before combining them with other flowers, because daffodil sap may shorten the vase life of companion blooms.

Long-Term Care: Mount Hood is a dependable perennial daffodil that can remain in the garden for many years with minimal maintenance.

Safety Reminder: All parts of daffodils contain toxic compounds, with the highest concentrations generally found in the bulbs. Keep unplanted bulbs away from children and pets, and never confuse daffodil bulbs with edible onions or garlic.