Growing Non-GMO King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil Flower Bulbs

Plant King Alfred type bulbs in the fall, ideally 2-4 weeks before the first hard frost, in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Set bulbs 4-6 inches deep with the pointed end up and space them about 6 inches apart. Full sun produces the most vigorous blooms, though partial shade is tolerated. Daffodils need 12-18 weeks of cool temperatures to bloom, which they receive naturally when planted outdoors in the fall. Water well after planting to help the bulbs establish roots before the ground freezes.

Allow the foliage to die back naturally after blooming — cutting it back early weakens the bulb and reduces next year's flowering. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in fall at planting and again in early spring as shoots emerge will support strong growth. King Alfred type daffodils are outstanding naturalizers, spreading slowly into larger and more impressive clumps over the years with virtually no intervention required.

King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil in the Flower Garden

The King Alfred trumpet daffodil is the flower most people picture when they think of a daffodil — a large, all-yellow bloom with a bold trumpet standing out proudly from broad, slightly twisted petals. It is a Division 1 trumpet daffodil, meaning the corona is as long as or longer than the surrounding perianth segments. Stems are strong and tall, making it an excellent cut flower and a garden plant. Bees are among the first pollinators to emerge each spring, and trumpet daffodils are one of their most important early nectar sources.

Landscape Use of King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil

King Alfred type daffodils are among the best naturalizers available. Plant them in borders, beds, or open lawn areas and allow them to spread undisturbed over the years — clumps fill in steadily, and the display grows more impressive each spring. They work beautifully under deciduous trees, along fence lines, or in any spot where a reliable, low-maintenance burst of yellow is welcome each year. Like all daffodils, they are completely ignored by deer and rodents, making them a smart choice wherever other spring bulbs get raided.

About King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil Garden Bulbs

The original Narcissus King Alfred was developed in Devon, England, in the 1890s by John Kendall and his gardener Walter Hill, through a cross of the cultivars Emperor and Maximus. When it was presented to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1899, it was awarded a First Class Certificate and described as the best large yellow trumpet daffodil ever seen. At the time, a single bulb sold for 10 guineas — an extraordinary sum.

King Alfred dominated the daffodil world for half a century. By the 1950s, however, newer cultivars with larger blooms and improved performance began to replace it in commercial production, and true King Alfred stock gradually disappeared from the trade. Today, the original cultivar is essentially unavailable commercially. The bulbs sold under the King Alfred name — by virtually all bulb suppliers — are large-flowered, all-yellow trumpet types that closely resemble the original in form and character. These are sometimes listed as King Alfred type or improved King Alfred. The name has endured because no other daffodil name carries the same recognition, and the modern look-alike varieties genuinely deliver the classic King Alfred experience that gardeners have loved for generations.

All parts of the daffodil are toxic if ingested and contain alkaloids, including lycorine. Handle bulbs with gloves if you have sensitive skin, as the outer layer can irritate on contact.

Make Planting Bulbs Easy with a Bulb Planter Hand Tool!

Tips From Our Gardeners

King Alfred types are one of the best daffodils for planting under deciduous trees — they get the sun they need in early spring before the tree leafs out, and the dying foliage is hidden by the time the tree fills in. A great way to add spring color to spots that are too shady for most other bulbs later in the season.

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil Flower Bulbs Per Package:

• 10 Bulb Bag

Non-GMO King Alfred Trumpet Daffodil Bulbs are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.