Narcissus 'February Gold'
february gold daffodil
Garden cultivar registered in the Netherlands; genus native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Narcissus 'February Gold' is a bulbous herbaceous perennial reaching 10–14 inches (25–36 cm) tall and 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) wide per bulb, spreading into clumps over time through offset production. The cultivar is a Division 6 Cyclamineus hybrid registered by de Graaff in the Netherlands in 1923, and the parentage includes N. cyclamineus. Each stem carries a single nodding flower 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across with a golden-yellow trumpet and golden-yellow perianth segments that are swept back (reflexed) 30–60 degrees from the trumpet axis, the angled tepals characteristic of Cyclamineus hybrids. Bloom occurs from February–March in USDA zones 8–9 and March–April in zones 3–7, opening 2–3 weeks before the main Division 1 trumpet daffodil flush. Leaves are basal, narrow and strap-shaped, 6–10 inches (15–25 cm) long, blue-green, and die back 6 or more weeks after flowering. Established clumps persist and increase for 30–50 years without division in suitable conditions, producing more flowering stems each year through bulb division. Growth rate is moderate; bulbs reach flowering maturity the year after autumn planting. Hardy to USDA zone 3. All parts — especially the bulbs — contain lycorine and other alkaloids; ingestion causes vomiting, salivation, and contact dermatitis in pets, livestock, and humans.
Native Range
The genus Narcissus spp. is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Narcissus 'February Gold' is a garden cultivar — a Division 6 Cyclamineus hybrid with parentage including N. cyclamineus — registered by de Graaff in the Netherlands in 1923.Suggested Uses
Planted in drifts of 20–50 bulbs, border fronts, rock gardens, under deciduous trees, and naturalized in lawns and meadows at 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) spacing and 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep. The early bloom window in February–March fills the late-winter color gap before Division 1 trumpet daffodils open. Established clumps persist and increase over 30–50 years without intervention, making this a long-term planting rather than a replant-annually design choice. The 6-week post-bloom foliage ripening period leaves yellowing leaves visible into May–June; interplanting with later-emerging perennials such as Hosta spp. or Hemerocallis spp. screens the fading foliage. All parts of Narcissus spp. are toxic to pets, livestock, and humans if ingested.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10" - 1'2"
Width/Spread3" - 4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Single nodding golden-yellow flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across appear from February through March in USDA zones 8–9 and March through April in zones 3–7 over a 2–3 week window per planting. The uniform golden-yellow color extends across both the trumpet and the reflexed perianth segments. Bloom opens 2–3 weeks before the main Division 1 trumpet daffodil flush.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Uniform golden-yellow; single nodding flower 2-2.5 inches across with trumpet and reflexed perianth segments swept back 30-60 degrees; February-AprilFoliage Description
Blue-green; basal, narrow, strap-shaped, 6-10 inches long; dies back 6 or more weeks after bloomGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant bulbs 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep at 4–6 inch (10–15 cm) spacing in full sun to partial shade with 4–10 hours of direct light, in well-drained loam, sandy loam, or silt at pH 6.0–7.0. Autumn planting between September and November, 6–8 weeks before the ground freezes, gives the bulbs time to root before winter. Water in after planting and keep soil moist through establishment; bulbs are drought-tolerant once established. Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally for at least 6 weeks after flowering — the foliage rebuilds the bulb reserves for the following year's bloom. Divide congested clumps every 5–8 years in early summer after foliage dies back, when flower count per stem drops below 80–90% of peak. Hardy to USDA zone 3.Pruning
Allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally for 6 or more weeks after flowering. Do not cut, braid, or tie the leaves while they are still green — this reduces photosynthate production and weakens bulbs for the next season. Remove yellowed foliage when it detaches from the bulb with gentle pulling. Deadhead spent flower stems at the base of the stalk to prevent seed formation and direct energy into bulb storage.Pruning Schedule
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F
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A
M
J
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A
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D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons