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Flowering over

MeggiemayMeggiemay Posts: 11

Now that my daffodils have finished flowering my garden looks very untidy have I got to wait till leaves turn brown before doing anything?

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  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619

    Hopefully you've cut all the flowerheads off. Generally the advice is to let the leaves die down naturally after flowering, as this feeds the bulbs for next year's show - 6 weeks after flowering is generally enough.

  • Me again, yes I am afraid if you want flowers next year just remove any seed heads and let the foliage die naturally. No cutting off or tying in knots. Patience is a virtue. In the mean time it is OK to disguise them by planting some nice flowering annuals on top, taking care not to disturb the bulbs. Keep moist during the summer too, but not waterlogged.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,701

    If you cut the leaves off before they die down, you won't get any flowers next year. image

    The bulb needs to build up next years flower bud now, so leave the leaves on until they turn brown. You could give them a bit of a feed as well, something general purpose like phostrogen or miracle go.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,931

    Yes, the bulbs need to take in the goodness from the leaves in order to get the energy to bloom again next year so it's really important to leave them.  You can help this process by applying some general purpose fertiliser and watering it in well - daffodils and narcissus benefit from a good soaking at this time of year.  

    If other plants aren't growing up sufficiently to disguise the browning leaves, can you put some pots around them - or are they growing naturalised in grass?  If so you could naturalise some meadow flowers that bloom about now, to prettify the long grass until you can mow it.


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • MeggiemayMeggiemay Posts: 11

    Thank you to all re daffs

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