Carlton, Daffodil Bulbs

Oversized golden blooms deliver classic daffodil impact
Broad petals surround a richly ruffled trumpet
Vigorous plants naturalize reliably for recurring color
A celebrated choice for mass plantings and cutting

Ships Fall 2026

When Will My Bulbs Ship?

Garlic and fall bulbs ship when planting season begins in your area, based on your USDA hardiness zone. We'll send your order between September and October 2026. Your card is charged today to secure your bulbs — we'll email you a tracking number as soon as your order ships.

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Narcissus

Sun

Full Sun

Zones 3–8 Check your growing zone

About Carlton, Daffodil Bulbs, Daffodil Bulbs

Carlton Daffodil produces oversized golden-yellow blooms with broad petals and a ruffled trumpet. Supplied as dormant bulbs, this vigorous, exceptionally hardy variety establishes readily and naturalizes for increasing spring color each year. Carlton is dependable in beds, borders, mass plantings, and cut-flower arrangements.

Growing details

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 3-8

Growth Habits

Clumping, Upright

Seed & variety

Color

Yellow

Seed Type

Bulb

Before Planting

Daffodils persist best in sun or open deciduous shade where spring light reaches their leaves. Loosen the entire planting bed rather than making tight individual holes, improve drainage in heavy ground, and choose plump, sound bulbs without mold or soft basal plates.

Planting

Set bulbs in fall before the ground freezes, with the pointed nose upward and root plate down. Standard garden daffodils are commonly planted 6–8 inches deep and 3–6 inches apart, with shallower placement for small species. Water after backfilling to settle the bed.

Watering

Autumn watering encourages roots; afterward, normal seasonal moisture is usually enough. Supply water during dry spring weather while leaves remain green, then allow the bed to become drier as bulbs enter summer dormancy.

Fertilizer

Finished compost at planting generally suffices in fertile ground. If a soil test indicates need, provide a balanced low-nitrogen feeding as shoots emerge. Avoid placing concentrated fertilizer directly beneath bulbs where new roots can burn.

Harvesting

For arrangements, cut stems when buds show color and begin nodding. Daffodil sap can shorten the vase life of other flowers, so condition stems separately before combining them. Leave garden foliage to mature after bloom.

Tips

Remove spent flowers to prevent seed production, but never braid, tie, or cut green leaves. Divide congested clumps after foliage yellows if flower numbers decline. Mark the site before dormancy so bulbs are not damaged later.

Pests & Diseases

Fusarium basal rot, Botrytis, viruses, and bulb rots are serious daffodil problems. Reject bulbs with soft bases, internal browning, or mold. Dig with care, dry bulbs before storage, and sanitize tools. Plants with persistent yellow streaking or distorted growth should be removed because viruses remain in the bulb.

Bulb flies, narcissus bulb mites, slugs, and basal rot cause most problems. Purchase clean bulbs, maintain drainage, discard soft infected bulbs, and avoid wounding them during planting or division.