List of Hardy Perennial Daffodils

Very Early

• If you yearn to see that first bit of yellow in late winter, a very early bloomer is a must. "Little Gem" daffodil (Narcissus "Little Gem") is a dependable choice to lead the way. A versatile, yellow-blooming dwarf with yellow petals and a slightly darker trumpet, it stays at just 4 to 6 inches in height. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8, "Little Gem" naturalizes well, and its compact size makes it an excellent choice for small spaces.

Early Midseason

• The soft-yellow petals and large, deep-yellow cup of "Carlton" daffodil (Narcissus "Carlton," USDA zones 3 to 8) provide a classic complement in early to midseason. Reaching 18 to 24 inches in height, this popular daffodil is lightly fragrant. A favorite companion is "Ice Follies" daffodil (Narcissus "Ice Follies," USDA zones 3 to 8). Slightly smaller at up to 18 inches in height, "Ice Follies" boasts extra-large, white petals and large yellow cups that age to creamy white in color. The blooms are long-lasting when cut.

Midseason

• The eye-catching flowers of fragrant "Jack Snipe" daffodil (Narcissus "Jack Snipe," USDA zones 3 to 8) burst into bloom at midseason with crisp, white petals sweeping back from golden-yellow cups. Excellent for the front of a mixed border, "Jack Snipe" grows 8 to10 inches in height. Equally showy, "Mount Hood" daffodil (Narcissus "Mount Hood," USDA zones 3 to 8) stands up to 18 inches in height and offers a large trumpet with deeply ruffled edge. Its buttery yellow flowers quickly mature to creamy white.

Late Midseason

• "Intrigue" daffodil (Narcissus "Intrigue," USDA zones 3 to 8) delivers an impact late in the season with greenish-yellow petals surrounding a yellow cup that soon turns white. With up to three fragrant flowers per stem, "Intrigue" stays at 10 to 12 inches in height. For added late-season interest, the miniature daffodil "Hawera" (Narcissus "Hawera," USDA zones 3 to 8) is pleasantly fragrant, and just 6 to 8 inches tall. Its yellow petals sweep backward as tiny, pale-yellow cups nod gracefully, one to two flowers per stem.

Very Late

• The poet's daffodil, also known as pheasant's eye, (Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus, USDA zones 3 to 7) blooms among the very last. Its brilliant white petals curve back strongly from a small, bright-yellow cup. Reminiscent of the eye of a pheasant, the cup is rimmed in bright red. At 12 to 18 inches in height, pheasant's eye has a spicy fragrance, naturalizes beautifully and signals a satisfying end to the daffodil season.