Pheasant's Eye Daffodil
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking fragrant, critter-resistant spring blooms.
Add timeless elegance to your garden with the Pheasant's Eye Daffodil, an heirloom variety established in 1796. This naturalizing bulb features snow-white, recurved petals with golden-yellow cups and a striking red edge. Each stem produces a single, sweetly fragrant flower, perfect for attracting bees and butterflies. These bulbs are reliably resistant to deer, rabbits, and squirrels. Plant in the fall for effortless spring blooms that naturally spread and form lovely clumps over the years with minimal effort.
$13.49
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1533
/ 3091
#1533 in Plant & Flower Bulbs
Price vs Category Average
-43%
Below average
Botanical Name
.
/ Narcissus poeticus var recurvus
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a fragrant, sensory-rich outdoor space
- Low-maintenance landscapers wanting self-sustaining, perennial floral displays
- Homeowners struggling with hungry deer and garden pests
Who should skip it
- Designers prioritizing early spring color coordination
- Gardeners preferring bold, high-impact floral statements
- Perfectionists maintaining pristine, tidy garden beds
Performance breakdown
Naturalization Potential
Heirloom bulbs that reliably spread and multiply with minimal gardener intervention.
Critter Resistance
Effectively deters deer, rabbits, and squirrels from snacking on your garden.
Fragrance Intensity
Sweet, classic scent adds a sensory layer to spring landscapes.
Maintenance Requirements
Low-effort perennials that thrive once established in the right conditions.
Pollinator Appeal
Fragrant blooms serve as a reliable early-season magnet for local pollinators.
Climatic Versatility
Broad hardiness range makes these bulbs adaptable to diverse regional climates.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Soil Moisture
Dry, Average
Mature Height
15-20 inches
Bulb Spacing
2-3 inches apart
Bloom Time
Spring
Hardiness Zones
Zone 3 through Zone 9
Shipping Zones
2-10
Features
- Sweetly fragrant blooms
- Reliably critter resistant
- Naturalizes and spreads over time
- Excellent as cut flowers
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Easy to grow and low maintenance
- Heirloom variety established in 1796
- Suitable for container planting
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Pheasant's Eye Daffodil for its exceptional beauty and reliable performance. Reviewers consistently celebrate the striking contrast of pure white petals against the small, red rimmed yellow cup. A key highlight is the intense, sweet fragrance, making it a favorite for cutting and patios. Gardeners value its late season bloom, which extends spring color. High success rates and excellent naturalizing ability confirm the bulb's quality and hardiness. This variety is highly recommended for delivering dependable, unique beauty year after year.
Know before you buy
These bulbs should be planted in the fall before the ground freezes. This allows them to establish roots during the cooler months so they are ready to bloom in the spring.
Yes, Narcissus poeticus var. recurvus contains compounds that make them unpalatable to deer, rabbits, and squirrels. They are a reliable choice if you have issues with garden pests eating your flower beds.
No, these are naturalizing bulbs, meaning they are designed to stay in the ground year-round. They will multiply and form larger clumps over time, requiring very little maintenance.
Absolutely. Because they reach a mature height of 15–20 inches, they work well in containers provided the pots have good drainage and receive full sun.
For the best results, plant them in a location that receives full sun. While they can tolerate some light shade, they need plenty of direct sunlight to store the energy required for next year's blooms.
Yes, their sturdy stems and sweet fragrance make them an excellent choice for cut flowers. They hold up well in vases and bring a classic, heirloom aesthetic indoors.
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$13