First of all, hi all - I just joined moments ago, and I'm very glad to be here.

I have a 5 x 20 area I'm planning to put daffodils in - some sort of all-yellow naturalizing blend. They'll be in and amongst day lilies, true lilies and a peony or two. It's a brand new bed and I'm an enthusiastic amateur. We're around Boston. The site is, I think, ideal: full sun, well-drained.

My research says 400 is about the right number (4 per square foot). But a friend says if I'm looking to naturalize, 400 is going to look great now but I'm going to be digging them all up and dividing them in 3 years. She suggests playing the long game.

What do you think?

I don't usually have to dig em up to divide and replant for at least 5 years, sometimes longer. I usually wait for them to tell me by decreased flowering. Maybe don't plant 4 per square, try 3. they'll still look good. Then again, areas where mine are grown aren't over populated by other summer plants, just enough to kind of hide the their foliage.

jmorth said:I don't usually have to dig em up to divide and replant for at least 5 years, sometimes longer. I usually wait for them to tell me by decreased flowering. Maybe don't plant 4 per square, try 3. they'll still look good. Then again, areas where mine are grown aren't over populated by other summer plants, just enough to kind of hide the their foliage.

Thanks! That makes me feel better.

I went with 300, and we'll just...see what happens.