5 Types of Bulbocodium Daffodils

The unique and fancy Narcissus bulbocodium is better known as a hoop-petticoat daffodil. And, with its big bell-shaped cup, this type of daffodil does indeed look like an upturned hoop skirt swaying in the breeze. But prominent petticoat cups aren’t the only special traits of bulbocodium daffodils. So, let’s look at five types of bulbocodium daffodils with all the unique features these fancy plants provide for spring garden interest.

What are bulbocodium daffodils?

Bulbocodifum daffodils make up division #10 of 13 total divisions used to describe the many daffodil types. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, division #10 bulbocodium daffodils have the following traits:

• Typically one flower per stem
• The cups are much bigger and more prominent than the petals
• The flower filament and style are typically curved

The University of Illinois Extension provides a great explanation of flower styles and filaments in plant anatomy. The style is a long tube-shaped structure inside the pistil, the female part of the flower that’s located in the bloom’s center. And the filament is a stalk-shaped structure inside the male part of the plant called the stamen.

In addition to their division #10 classification traits, bulbocodium daffodils are usually miniature plants that grow less than a foot tall. They also have thin, pointed petals that form star shapes below their prominent flower cups.

The types of bulbocodium daffodils featured below also have these unique traits, plus beautiful fragrances. Plus, many cultivars of this variety bloom in late winter or very early spring.

1. Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Golden Bells’

Botanical Name: Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Golden Bells’

Common Names: Hoop-Petticoat Daffodil ‘Golden Bells,’ ‘Golden Bells’ Daffodil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Bloom Seasons: Early to mid-spring

Cultivar Colors: Golden yellow

The ‘Golden Bells’ cultivar is hard to miss with its bell-shaped cups aimed toward the sun. And you don’t want to miss seeing this pretty yellow dwarf daffodil with its cheerful blooms. This type of bulbocodium daffodil has tiny, thin petals stretching to catch some rays from beneath the flower’s bulbous cup.

‘Golden Bells’ is tiny (6-8 inches tall) but hardy in Zones 4-9. This mini daffodil can also survive rough weather and produce many blooms in early to mid-spring.

2. Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Mary Poppins’

Botanical Name: Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Mary Poppins’

Common Names: ‘Mary Poppins’ Hoop-Petticoat Daffodil, ‘Mary Poppins’ Bulbocodium Daffodil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7

Bloom Seasons: Early or Mid-Spring

Cultivar Colors: Cream and light yellow

The lovely ‘Mary Poppins’ daffodil cultivar produces light yellow flowers that mature to creamy white. This hoop-petticoat daffodil is another miniature variety that grows up to 10 inches tall.

The ‘Mary Poppins’ bulbocodium daffodil has up-facing blooms that grow 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide.

Fun Fact: Many flower cultivars are named after Mary Poppins, the fictional character created by author P.L. Travers. In addition to this bulbocodium daffodil, there are azalea, fuchsia, rhododendron, and more flower cultivars named for this beloved children’s story heroine!

3. Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Oxford Gold’

Botanical Name: Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Oxford Gold’

Common Names: Bulbocodium Daffodil ‘Oxford Gold,’ Hoop-Petticoat Daffodil ‘Oxford Gold’

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9

Bloom Seasons: Late Winter to Early Spring

Cultivar Colors: Buttery yellow

Award-winning ‘Oxford Gold’ is a miniature daffodil plant that fills with flowers in late winter to early spring. So this type of bulbocodium daffodil is an excellent choice for late winter garden interest.

‘Oxford Gold’ has buttery yellow blooms with a pleasing scent. Additionally, this pretty hoop-petticoat daffodil produces many long-lasting flowers on plants that grow 6-7 inches tall.

4. Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Spoirot’

Botanical Name: Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Spoirot’

Common Names: Bulbocodium Daffodil ‘Spoirot,’ Hoop-Petticoat Daffodil ‘Spoirot’

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9

Bloom Seasons: Early Spring

Cultivar Colors: Ivory and pale yellow

The ‘Spoirot’ cultivar is an ivory and pale yellow miniature daffodil that blooms in very early spring. Additionally, its ivory petticoat cups get more yellow the closer to the stem. This type of bulbocodium daffodil is also award-winning for its beauty and hardiness in Zones 3-9.

‘Spoirot’ has tiny, slightly reflexed petals and grows 4-6 inches tall. Though this perennial is small, its showy blooms make beautiful cut flowers.

5. Narcissus bulbocodium ‘White Petticoat’

Botanical Name: Narcissus bulbocodium ‘White Petticoat’

Common Names: Bulbocodium Daffodil ‘White Petticoat,’ Hoop-Petticoat Daffodil ‘White Petticoat’

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Bloom Seasons: Early to Mid-Spring

Cultivar Colors: White with a pale yellow center

‘White Petticoat’ is another charming miniature bulbocodium daffodil with white blooms that have yellowish centers. This miniature daffodil grows 6-8 inches tall, with its elegant flowers pointing toward the sky.

The ‘White Petticoat’ cultivar is also a type of bulbocodium daffodil that produces its showy flowers in early to mid-spring.

Discover All Daffodil Divisions

Bulbocodium daffodils are one of many daffodil types you can grow at home. In fact, hoop-petticoat daffodils aren’t as common as varieties like trumpet, large-cupped, and jonquilla daffodils. So discover all 13 daffodil divisions via the list below!

• Division 1 – Trumpet Daffodils
• Division 2 – Large-Cupped Daffodils
• Division 3 – Small-Cupped Daffodils
• Division 4 – Double Daffodils
• Division 5 – Triandrus Daffodils
• Division 6 – Cyclamineus Daffodils
• Division 7 – Jonquilla Daffodils
• Division 8 – Tazetta Daffodils
• Division 9 – Poeticus Daffodils
• Division 10 – Bulbocodium Daffodils
• Division 11a – Split-Cupped Collar Daffodils
• Division 11b – Split-Cupped Papillion Daffodils
• Division 12 – Other Daffodil Cultivars
• Division 13 – Daffodils Categorized Only by Botanical Name

Bulbocodium daffodils bring unique blooms to early spring gardens.

With their unique hoop-petticoat cups, bulbocodium daffodils are unlike most other daffodil types. Not only do they look like fancy floral bells, but these special daffodils are also dainty early bloomers. So plant bulbocodium daffodils for tiny bursts of garden color before many other daffodils emerge. And enjoy the oohs and ahhs these fancy daffodils will cause!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Bex Pix/Shutterstock.com