20 Plants That Look The Best Next To Daffodils In The Garden

With vibrant yellow petals that bloom each year, many gardeners love daffodils as a feature of their gardens. You don't need to know everything about growing daffodils to learn what flowers they pair well with and help them thrive and grow, which is the basic idea of companion planting. While companion planting can help prevent pests and diseases, daffodils don't have many to deal with in the first place. Companion plants for daffodils are often chosen for aesthetic reasons because their colors pair well together or their shapes complement each other.

Since daffodils are one of the earliest bloomers, they also tend to wilt earlier than other flowers. That means you may want to choose flowers that may bloom after or for longer, so your daffodils dying back won't leave your yard bare. Similarly, you may choose flowers that bloom after daffodils so that when the daffodils have completed their season, there is a new crop of flowers, allowing your garden to have a color and blooms throughout the other seasons. This can ensure a garden that's aesthetically pleasing and always in bloom.

Of course, you'll also want to consider the growing conditions of the companion plants. Daffodils are perennials, so they grow back each year. You may want to consider planting other perennial bulbs so you have reliable flowers and don't have to disturb the bulbs during their growing phase. You also want flowers and plants that have similar light and water requirements so both are happy while growing.

Statuesque and whimsical irises (Iris versicolor) are one of the best choices to add color to a spring garden. These flowers come in nearly every color of the rainbow, including yellow, pink, blue, and purple, so that you can create a custom color scheme mixing daffodils and irises together. These flowers prefer full or partial sun to grow their showy blooms. Daffodils and irises can bloom at the same time, but irises can continue to bloom a little longer. You want to be sure to choose iris varieties that aren't too tall that they block out the sun for daffodils.

Crocuses (Crocus spp.) can sometimes be mistaken for tulips for their similar appearance. However, they're smaller, growing between 2 and 4 inches tall. Fall is the best time of year to plant crocus for them to bloom in spring along with daffodils. Both are perennials, which makes them ideal companions to each other. The variety of colors — from blue and purple to orange and yellow — also makes them a good pair for daffodils and those seeking a garden full of color. They like full to partial sun, but be careful not to let daffodils block the crocuses' sunlight.

Ligularia (Ligularia spp.) is the perfect flower to add some visual interest to your garden. Bright yellow blooms that grow in long spikes are sure to be an attention-grabber. They have large, showy foliage providing a lush backdrop for daffodils in the spring, then bloom in the summer to continue the vibrant yellow color. They can be planted in the fall along with daffodils to have an established plant by spring. Grow in partial shade and use it as an edge plant. Daffodils can take on a little sun and grow in front of ligularia.

Muscari armeniacum, known as grape hyacinths, are small, clustered flowers that often pop up around spring. Bulbs can be planted along with tulips in fall, and both are perennials, so they'll bring color to your garden for years to come. Grape hyacinths, with their tight cluster of bell-shaped petals, will bring a unique texture to your garden when planted among daffodils. There are blue, violet, and pink varieties that will complement the colors of daffodils well. Grape hyacinths prefer sun to partial shade, similar to daffodils, so they're a great companion.

Alliums are one of the most unique flowers you can grow in your garden. With tall stocks that bloom small purple, pink, or white pom-pom-like clusters, they're a great option to add texture to a garden. They bloom in spring, allowing them to bloom alongside daffodils. Their bulbs can also be planted in the fall alongside daffodils. The smallest variety can grow between 3 and 6 inches tall, while the tallest varieties can grow between 12 and 18 inches tall. They like the sun, so they'll pair well with daffodils to add some interest and height.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.) are one of the signs of summer. These daisy-like yellow flowers will begin to bloom when daffodils die off. They bloom from June to August, allowing you to have a vibrant yellow flower in your garden almost year-round, or orange and red if you prefer that variety. They bloom best in full and partial sun, so they can be planted around daffodils in the fall. Black-eyed Susans can be annuals, biennials, or perennials. It may be best to choose perennial varieties to avoid disturbing daffodil bulbs when planting.

Delicate flowers with vibrantly colored petals make the pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) a beautiful garden option. They bloom between April and May, so they have some overlap with daffodils, though they'll bloom for a little longer to give your garden color. Growing between 9 and 12 inches tall, they'll pair well with daffodils height-wise–plant both in well-draining soil with partial to full sun for showy blossoms. Pasque flower varieties come in many colors, but if you're looking to have an all-yellow garden, opt for P. sylvestris. Otherwise, these flowers come in violets, blues, and white.

Continue garden color from spring to summer with Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata). These flowers are known for their vibrant blooms that range in color, including yellow, orange, pink, and multicolor. Coreopsis bloom from summer through fall, so though your daffodils have wilted, they're a good way to ensure you have color throughout your garden through the warmer seasons. They prefer to be planted in full sun to help them achieve their bright blooms. Like daffodils, Coreopsis are perennials, so they can be planted together in the fall. Plant them along paths to line a garden with color.

Many think of these delicate little flowers as more of a wildflower. But forget-me-nots (Myosotis alpestris) can be a great addition to a garden. Like daffodils, they're perennials, so the two can grow back together each year. Forget-me-nots bloom in spring and summer and prefer partial sun. Coming in shades of blue, white, and pink, they offer a stunning contrast to the daffodils' bold yellow. Forget-me-nots are best used as ground cover, so they can provide a lush, colorful base for daffodils intermingled in between. They'll also make a great edging for the sides and paths of gardens.

Any early blooming around the same time as daffodils, Forsythia (Forsythia spp.) is also beloved for its yellow flowers. These shrubs are adaptable plants that easily share resources with daffodils, which makes them one of the best companion options. Forsythia will bring much more color to your yard as they bloom with daffodils in April and May. They're larger shrubs, so they'll provide a nice ornamental backdrop to the garden. Forsythia prefers full sun and moist soil–plant daffodils in front of these shrubs as borders around a garden.