Last Updated on September 10, 2026 by Thompson & Morgan Horticultural Team

Looking for the best daffodils to plant this autumn? Daffodils are one of the easiest spring bulbs to grow, bringing cheerful colour to gardens, patios and vases. Also known as narcissus, they need very little maintenance and provide a spectacular display for years to come.

If you’re wondering which varieties to choose, here are five of our horticultural team’s favourite daffodil bulbs to plant now…

1. Daffodil ‘Bridal Crown’

These sweetly scented blooms are crisp white with yellow centres
Image: Daffodil ‘Bridal Crown’ from T&M

For a fragrant spring display, Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’ is hard to beat. An award-winning choice, it produces sumptuous layers of creamy-white petals surrounding soft yellow and apricot centres. The highly-scented flowers reach 40cm tall and fill the garden with a sweet perfume from mid to late-spring.

Annelise Brilli, horticultural expert at T&M says: “Clusters of double, layered blooms release a wonderfully sweet perfume making this RHS recommended daffodil irresistible. Cut a few stems for a vase and enjoy their beautiful, fragrant flowers indoors too, extending the spring display beyond the garden.”

2. Daffodil ‘Most Scented Mix’

Containing 7 different varieties, this daffodil mix is full of interest and texture
Image: Daffodil ‘Most Scented Mix’ from T&M

Daffodil ‘Most Scented Mix’ is a beautifully curated collection of seven richly fragrant daffodils that have been selected for exceptional perfume and variety of forms. From sweetly scented blooms to classic golden flowers, the collection produces masses of single, double and multi-headed blooms.

Easy to grow and dependable year after year, these daffodils naturalise well, returning in greater numbers to create glowing drifts of spring colour. Perfect for cutting and forcing indoors, they also bring their beautiful fragrance into the home, creating long-lasting arrangements that celebrate the season.

3. Daffodil ‘Ice Baby’

This mini daffodil looks lovely in containers
Image: Daffodil ‘Ice Baby’ from T&M (© Visions BV, Netherlands)

For an early splash of spring colour, Narcissus ‘Ice Baby’ is a charming miniature daffodil that makes a big impact despite reaching just 20cm tall. Its elegant, finely formed flowers open in cream before maturing to crisp, pure white. The result is a fresh, refined display that works particularly well where its delicate blooms can be appreciated up close.

Annelise Brilli, horticultural expert at T&M says: “This miniature daffodil is a little gem that makes a big impression in smaller gardens and container displays. Best appreciated at close quarters, its crisp, reflexed petals surround a perfectly formed snow white cup. Planted along the front of a border, it naturalises readily, gradually filling gaps between emerging perennials.” 

4. Daffodil ‘Giant Mix’

These huge flowers create a showstopping border
Image: Daffodil ‘Giant Mix’ from T&M

For some of the biggest and boldest daffodil flowers, Narcissus ‘Giant Mix’ is designed to make a real impact. This striking collection brings together three large-flowered varieties – Narcissus ‘Watchup’, Narcissus ‘Chromacolor’ and Narcissus ‘Arkle’ – creating a vibrant display ranging from crisp white through to golden yellow and vivid orange.

Plant ‘Giant Mix’ in generous drifts for maximum impact in borders, containers or naturalised areas. Reliable and easy to grow, these impressive daffodils return year after year, while their substantial blooms make excellent cut flowers too.

5. Narcissus ‘Casanova’

These unusual pink and white blooms are ideal for pastel colour schemes
Image: Narcissus ‘Casanova’ from T&M

For something a little different, Narcissus ‘Casanova’ brings an unexpected twist to the traditional daffodil. This distinctive variety combines rounded white outer petals with a beautifully ruffled apricot-pink split corona, giving it an elegant, unusual appearance.

T&M’s horticultural expert, Annelise Brilli, says: “Yellow is the colour which immediately springs to mind with daffodils but surprisingly there are some unique and exciting varieties which come in shades of pink. The dashing Narcissus ‘Casanova’ barely looks like a daffodil with its ruffled apricot-pink corona sitting flat against white outer petals.”

Visit our dedicated hub page for more information and advice about spring flowering bulbs. And if you want specific tips from experienced growers, our daffodil masterclass and video on how to grow bulbs are also helpful resources.

Lead image: Narcissus ‘Watchup’ from T&M’s Daffodil ‘Giant Mix’

Horticultural Contributor: 

Annelise Brilli is the Horticultural copywriter for Thompson and Morgan. Annelise caught the gardening bug from her mother, whose tiny backyard was crammed with a huge collection of plants. As an adult, she had a career change into horticulture, gaining a training apprenticeship with the National Trust at Powis Castle Garden in Welshpool. She went on to work in a range of private and public gardens, later running a garden design and maintenance business. She is passionate about sustainable gardening and has developed her own wildlife-friendly garden which she has opened as part of Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail.

Thompson & Morgan

The Thompson & Morgan horticultural team produces a wealth of content around gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest Mail Order Seed and Plant companies. Through the publication of our catalogues and the operation of our award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the very best quality products money can buy.

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