I’ve just seen my first daffodil of the season here in the Charlotte area. My spirits are lifted. Several others were in bloom at this location but were lying on the ground…presumably knocked over by the freezing night temperatures we continue to experience.
Most daffodils in our area are still weeks away from gracing us with their cheerfulness. However, daffodils here at this entrance to my grandkids’ neighborhood have reliably bloomed around New Years Day every year for at least the past ten. This year they are a month late. I have no way of finding out which cultivar they are. I’m a bit surprised that our cold weather would have that much influence on their development this winter. We have certainly had weather as cold in the past but perhaps not so early or so consistently over a long period. Other areas in which I have noted daffodil blooms at the New Year are still colorless. I see the green but no blossoms. There are Tete-a-tete daffodils coming up in my garden now, but the greenery is only an inch high so they have a way to go.
I am really trying hard to be patient.
A Walk in the Garden 
I’ve noticed the daffodils are late here too. And my poor camellias are really suffering in the cold. Every time they start to open the temperature plummets again.
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I keep trying to tell myself: “This too shall pass.” It will get warm again.
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It will warm up, really! If you are seeing the foliage and a few daffodils already I am sure your garden will soon be warm enough for other things to emerge. I am looking forward to seeing your garden in spring John!
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Yes, Cathy, Things are emerging…first glimmers on creeping phlox, rosemary, and candy tuft.
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Gosh – the idea that a daffodil in February is late! We’ve so long to wait still. When we lived in Ireland we used to be able to buy great bunches of them from February. In France I hardly see them for sale much – a bit sad.
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This particular daffodil blooms surprisingly early. I wish I knew the name. Most of the others here are weeks if not months away. I would have thought they would be available there for sale quite readily. I’m surprised to hear they are not.
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The one that flowers in January here and looks just like this is ‘ Rijnveld’ s Early Sensation’. I have it in bloom in my garden. Spring is certainly on the way.
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Thanks, Chloris. Glad to know you have them in bloom.
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I have my first ones flowering but they always flower a good month before others. I dont know the variety as I inherited them with the garden but they are always very welcome at this time of year
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Inherited plants, Helen, can be a blessing or a curse. I’m glad these have turned out well for you.
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The first daffodil is always very special. We have had Rijnvelds Early Sensation flowering for a month now, maybe yours is the same.
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I find that first flowers, Pauline, regardless of the plant, are special. They renew the spirit.
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Even with your cold things look promising! I’ll third the daff ID, if my Rijnvelds didn’t struggle so much during last winter’s ice age I would probably have a few spares to send your way. Between them and the camellias it’s a nice way to wait out winter!
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The ones in the photo have been in the ground for at least ten years and the person who planted them has probably gone to a new career. So I will never be able to identify them with certainty. I appreciate your suggestion.
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The first blooming daffodil is certainly something to celebrate!
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Thanks, Jason.
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One of the things I really like about southern gardens is the pine needle mulch. I find it elegant. And I’m deep in Winter. One wee bed of early daffy have their noses up but at 20 below winds tonight it’s going to be brutal.
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Winter still has us in its grasp. We too are going to get more of the same.
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