Enjoying Daffodils

Daffodils are the bright and happy harbinger of spring. They pop up no matter the weather and bloom for over a week. I have a route I follow every spring to catch a glimpse of some of the incredible plantings in the region. Just down the road from my house, a right onto Forks Road quickly leads to a beautiful spread on both sides of the road and over the knoll. It is a worth a trip to Cooperstown to travel south on Route 28 into the village to be welcomed by mass planting as you ease into the village. The 30 MPH speed limit actually makes sense in the spring! My last visit is to Sculpture Space in Utica. Driving down Whitesboro Street look to the right to see how an artist outlined the foundation of the houses that once sat before the workshop building. I did not see them last week but I hope the pop up soon!

Daffodils are pretty much deer proof because the stems contain a toxic sap. Great for enjoying in the field but causes problem when cut. The sap irritates the skin but also leaks into the water after cutting. This sap will kill any other flowers in the same vase unless it is first leeched out in cool water. So, is it worth it to put daffodils in a mixed bouquet? I say no because there are enough varieties blooming over the next three weeks to create some interesting arrangements on their own. The first to bloom in my yard are the all white Mount Hood and the last are these super frilly heirloom variety. Cutting the stems at ground level just before they open ensures a solid week of inside enjoyment.