Daffodil Hill

A perennial hallmark of spring, daffodils are most commonly recognizable for their distinctive form and cheerful yellow color. In fact, daffodils can be found in a wide range of colors, from the palest white to deep golds with shades of orange, pink, and red. Native to Mediterranean and mountainous Europe as well as northern Africa, daffodils are now grown in cultivated landscapes throughout the world. The plants were used in antiquity for medicine and in ancient Egypt to fragrance perfumes. Daffodil bulbs lie dormant throughout winter, and with each year their spring blooms become more numerous and spectacular, covering the landscape with a sea of colorful, swaying flowers. After the bloom period ends, the foliage remains to photosynthesize and store energy in the bulb to ensure next year’s bloom.

Daffodils, or the genus Narcissus (learn more about Latin nomenclature), have been cultivated at The New York Botanical Garden since the early 1900s. With the addition of new plants—some through generous gifts from prominent daffodil growers, and some through the careful work of Garden horticulturists—Daffodil Hill has flourished for nearly a century. The Million Daffodil initiative, launched with the planting season in fall 2015, further expanded this unique and varied collection for future generations to enjoy.