Flowers That Look Like Daffodils

Daffodil is the common term for flowers in the genus Narcissus. Although some gardeners consider daffodils to be the bright yellow flower so common in early spring, daffodils have a large range of shapes, colors and sizes. Paperwhites are a variety of daffodil, as are the cylindrical-leaved jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla) and the red-tipped poet's narcissus (Narcissus poeticus). Some daffodils, like the hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium), have wide trumpets and small, narrow segments, resembling a poppy more than the traditional daffodil flower. However, some entirely different species have startlingly similar daffodil-shaped blooms.

Daffodil is the common term for flowers in the genus Narcissus. Although some gardeners consider daffodils to be the bright yellow flower so common in early spring, daffodils have a large range of shapes, colors and sizes. Paperwhites are a variety of daffodil, as are the cylindrical-leaved jonquils (Narcissus jonquilla) and the red-tipped poet's narcissus (Narcissus poeticus). Some daffodils, like the hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium), have wide trumpets and small, narrow segments, resembling a poppy more than the traditional daffodil flower. However, some entirely different species have startlingly similar daffodil-shaped blooms.

The "Gold Digger" orchid, Laelocattleya (Lc.) Gold Digger 'Orchid Jungle', grows far from the cold temperatures daffodils prefer, but is a remarkable lookalike. Gold digger flowers measure 2 1/2 inches wide and have five diamond-shaped, rich yellow petals surrounding a red-gold trumpet, like a sunrise. The flowers are fragrant. Like most orchids, gold digger is not hardy below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, prefers bright, indirect light and an appropriate, well-drained growing medium. Do not plant orchids in potting soil.

This small flower grows from a bulb and blooms in early spring, like the daffodil, but has a bright violet-blue or white color. Six petals surround a very small trumpet, somewhat smaller than the trumpet of a paperwhite. Glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) produces charming clusters of these flowers, often up to 10 blooms. The foliage is similar to the daffodil, but on a smaller scale. Chionodoxa plants grow up to 6 inches tall and are hardy to USDA zones 3 to 7.

The Peruvian daffodil (Hymenocallis narcissiflora, sometimes sold as Ismene calathina) plant grows curving, strap-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long. The foliage grows from a bulb, and two blooms appear on a central stem in late spring or early summer. The 4-inch flowers are white and have a daffodil-shaped trumpet, but the six surrounding segments are narrow and curl like a summertime firework. Peruvian daffodils prefer rich, well-drained soil and are not cold hardy.