Daffodil Break Out

Daffodil 'Break Out', The Double Daffodil That Stops People in Their Tracks

Most daffodils are easy to walk past. Break Out is not one of them. This is a Division 4 double daffodil, which means instead of the classic single-ring of petals around a trumpet, you get layer after layer of petals packed into one big, lush, fully loaded bloom. Think less daffodil, more peony. The outer petals come in creamy white to soft primrose yellow, and as you move toward the center, warm shades of yellow and orange take over, sometimes touched with a gentle blush that softens the whole look. The result is a flower that feels almost too good to be real, especially when you consider it comes back every single year from the same bulb. Break Out blooms in mid-spring, that sweet spot when the garden has really woken up but the heat hasn't arrived yet. The flowers are generous in size, held on sturdy stems, and they last well, both in the ground and in a vase. Cut them once the blooms are fully open (unlike single daffodils, doubles look best when you let them come all the way out before harvesting) and they'll carry that wow factor indoors too. As a double variety, Break Out brings a richness and texture to spring plantings that single-flowered daffodils simply can't match. Plant it in clusters in a border, run it along a pathway, or tuck it under a deciduous tree where it'll naturalize and spread quietly over the years. It mixes beautifully with late tulips, alliums, and other mid-spring bloomers, and holds its own just as well planted on its own in a big sweeping drift. One more thing worth mentioning: deer and squirrels leave it completely alone. Like all daffodils, it contains compounds that make it unpalatable to just about every garden pest. Plant it and forget about it, it does the rest.

What You're Getting
Daffodil 'Break Out' bulbs, ready to go in the ground this fall for mid-spring blooms.

Quick Facts  
Type: Division 4, Double Daffodil
Color: Creamy white to soft primrose petals; yellow and orange center with soft blush tones
Bloom time: Mid-spring
Height: Approx. 14–16 inches
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Deer & rodent resistant: Yes
Use: Borders, containers, naturalized areas, cutting garden  

Planting Tips
Plant in fall, 4-6 weeks before your ground freezes. Aim for about 6 inches deep, pointy end up, spaced 4-6 inches apart. Well-drained soil is the main requirement, daffodils don't like sitting in wet ground over winter. After they bloom in spring, leave the foliage alone until it yellows and dies back on its own. That's how the bulb stores energy for next year. Cut it too early and the blooms will gradually weaken over time. For maximum impact, plant Break Out in groups of at least ten, ideally more.