How to Grow Cheerfulness
Wikimedia Commons
Cheerfulness
Narcissus pseudonarcissus 'Cheerfulness'
flowerCheerfulness is a charming double daffodil cultivar featuring full, ruffled blooms with white petals and yellow-orange inner petals that create a pompom-like appearance. This spring-flowering bulb is prized for its long vase life and cheerful, fragrant flowers that brighten gardens and indoor arrangements. It's a reliable perennial that naturalizes well in lawns and borders.
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Example Cheerfulness timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cheerfulness
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Cheerfulness blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cheerfulness dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8, with best performance in zones 4-7
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Dormancy/Chilling
12-16 weeksBulbs are planted in fall and require 12-16 weeks of cold temperatures (35-45°F) to break dormancy and initiate flowering.
Plant bulbs in October-November in cold climates. Ensure bulbs receive adequate chilling period. Protect from excessive moisture but keep soil from drying completely.
Emergence
2-3 weeksGreen shoots emerge from the soil as temperatures warm in early spring. Foliage develops before or alongside flower buds.
Remove any mulch that may inhibit emergence. Monitor for slugs and snails. Begin regular watering if spring is dry.
Budding & Flowering
3-4 weeksFlower buds develop and elongate on stems. Double blooms unfurl with characteristic ruffled petals, typically white with yellow-orange centers. Sweet fragrance is most noticeable on warm days.
Deadhead spent flowers but leave foliage intact. Stake plants if stems are weak or in windy locations. Enjoy cutting flowers for arrangements; cut in early morning.
Foliage Maturation
4-6 weeksAfter flowering, leaves continue to photosynthesize and gradually yellow/brown. Foliage remains green for 4-6 weeks post-bloom.
Do NOT cut foliage prematurely; allow full senescence for bulb replenishment. Continue watering moderately. Remove leaves only when completely brown and crispy.
Summer Dormancy
Summer monthsBulbs enter dormancy as foliage dies back completely. Underground, the bulb stores energy for next year's bloom.
Reduce watering significantly. Avoid disturbing bulb area. Optionally apply low-nitrogen fertilizer to support next season's blooms. Bulbs can remain in ground for years.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Inspect bulbs before planting for soft spots. Remove affected bulbs. Keep garden free of decaying plant material. Apply insecticidal soap if adults are spotted.
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Remove by hand at dusk. Use beer traps or copper barriers. Apply neem oil or organic slug pellets. Encourage natural predators like ground beetles.
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Practice crop rotation. Remove and discard heavily infested bulbs. Soak bulbs in hot water (43°C/110°F) for 30 minutes before planting as preventive measure.
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Ensure excellent drainage. Avoid overwatering. Remove affected bulbs. Disinfect planting tools. Treat soil with fungicide if disease persists.
Uses
Not for consumption
CulinaryDaffodil bulbs and flowers are TOXIC and should never be eaten. All parts contain lycorine and other alkaloids that cause severe gastrointestinal distress. [source]
Cut flowers and arrangements
HouseholdCheerfulness is exceptional in spring floral arrangements and long-lasting bouquets. The double flowers add texture and interest to mixed arrangements, and the sweet fragrance perfumes indoor spaces. [source]
Naturalizing in lawns and meadows
HouseholdPlant bulbs in drifts throughout lawns or meadow areas for stunning spring color. Cheerfulness spreads gradually and creates a naturalized, carefree look that requires minimal maintenance once established. [source]
Early season pollinator resource
WildlifeCheerfulness provides essential early spring nectar and pollen for emerging bees and other pollinators. Double varieties are sometimes less accessible to pollinators than singles, but still valuable as early forage. [source]
Breeding and hybridization
CraftCheerfulness is used in daffodil breeding programs to develop new double cultivars with improved colors, form, and vigor. Home gardeners can save seeds and experiment with hybridization. [source]
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when buds are just opening for longest vase life (7-10 days). Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut stems at an angle, taking 6-8 inches of stem. Leave at least 2 leaves on the plant to support bulb energy reserves. Flowers are beautiful in arrangements and last longer than single daffodil varieties. Do NOT harvest bulbs unless replanting; allow foliage to mature naturally for future blooming.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cheerfulness is one of the oldest double daffodil cultivars, with origins tracing back to Victorian-era breeding programs in the 19th century, making it a true heirloom bulb.
- 🌱 Daffodils are the national flower of Wales and are celebrated during St. David's Day (March 1st); their reliable early spring blooms symbolize hope and rebirth.
- 🌱 All parts of daffodil bulbs contain lycorine, which serves as a natural pest deterrent—deer, rabbits, and most rodents avoid eating them, making them excellent for wildlife-prone gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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