Dazzling Daffodils at Penrhyn Castle

Nothing quite says Spring is on the way like a bright bunch of daffodils, and although they are often sold cut in bunches in the supermarkets from late January, we often see the first blooms poking their heads through in the gardens at Penrhyn in late February, early March onwards – just in the nick of time for St David’s day.

A bright and cheerful flower, the daffodil is a part of the narcissi family which is easy enough to grow either in gardens, woodland or in containers at home.  The garden team here at Penrhyn see the largest display of blooms from around mid-March until late April, and it’s worth remembering that different varieties do flower at different times. 

Around the castle the majority of blooms can be seen along the wooded areas and to the front and side of the castle in front of the Keep.  If you follow the Penrhyn walk pathway which takes you from the visitor centre and up to the right side of the castle grounds, you will find more displays along the way, bringing you back around to the Walled garden .

Growing your own Daffodils

Daffodils are a great bulb to plant if you want a hardy flower that will grow year after year, and provide a brilliant display of colour after the dark months of winter.  Hot on the heels of the snowdrop, the daffodil will grow year after year with the minimum amount of effort, simply remember to ‘dead-head’ the flower heads but leave the leaves until they have completely died down.  The reasoning for this is that the leaves will power-up the bulbs and provide vital food and nutrients for next year’s blooms. 

When planning your display for the following year, it's a good idea to scatter the bulbs randomly in the area you want them to flower and then dig the holes where they fell.  A random display is often more attractive and will grow over time naturally to fill the area.