Daffodil Spring-tacularBoyd County Blooms with Beauty and Color

Daffodil Spring-tacular

Boyd County Blooms with Beauty and Color

Kim Jenkins

For The Ashland Beacon

Spring is officially in full bloom in Boyd County, Kentucky, and it’s all thanks to the dazzling Daffodil Spring-tacular! Everywhere you look, cheerful meadows of bright yellow daffodils are lighting up our community, creating an unmissable spectacle that celebrates the season’s beauty.

The Daffodil Spring-tacular isn’t just a pretty sight—it’s a heartfelt community effort that’s been years in the making. Inspired by the stunning daffodils that Dr. MJ Wixsom helped plant in Central Park many years ago, this vibrant tradition was brought to life by the late Norma Meek and her dear friend Clark Wiley in 2023. Their vision? To plant 100,000 daffodil bulbs over five years, creating a springtime driving tour that would make Ashland and Boyd County the Daffodil Capitol of Kentucky.

And they’re well on their way! To date, an impressive 40,000 daffodil bulbs have already been planted, and the results are absolutely Spring-tacular! The meadows of yellow that now blanket our area bring joy and color to every corner, transforming the landscape into a gorgeous sea of sunshine.

But the journey doesn’t end here. The Daffodil Spring-tacular committee is calling on businesses, schools, churches, and homeowners to help continue Norma and Clark’s dream by planting their own Meadows of Yellow. Imagine it—if every person who loves these beautiful blooms joins in, we’ll be well on our way to reaching the goal of 100,000 daffodils!

If you’re ready to join the movement, it’s easy to get started. Daffodil bulbs should be planted in the fall, ideally in October and November, about 6 inches deep and 8 inches apart. They thrive in sunny spots, so find a great location that will allow these golden beauties to shine! The daffodils will bloom each spring, spreading their joyful color across the county, but there’s a little secret to making sure they keep coming back year after year. After the daffodils bloom, don’t be in a rush to clean up the foliage. As tempting as it may be, never fold, braid, or trim the leaves. Allow the foliage to stay standing so it can carry out photosynthesis, which feeds the bulb and helps ensure next year’s vibrant display. This short period of untidiness is essential to the daffodils' growth, so embrace it—it’s part of the magic!

The Daffodil Spring-tacular committee hopes that the sight of these golden flowers will lift the spirits of all who pass by, spreading joy and positivity throughout our community. And none of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of major sponsors who have helped make this vision a reality. Their contributions are helping turn Boyd County into a living masterpiece, one daffodil at a time.

But the work is far from over. The committee is still working hard to plant even more daffodils and expand the meadow of yellow across our region. If you’re looking to contribute, there’s still plenty of time to get involved. Simply head over to the Daffodil Spring-tacular Facebook page for more information on how you can help make this vision bloom even brighter. With only 60,000 more bulbs to go, the dream is within reach!

So, let’s keep the momentum going! Whether you’re planting your own patch of daffodils or simply taking a scenic drive through our blooming community, let’s celebrate the arrival of spring together. After all, there’s nothing quite like the beauty of a field of daffodils to remind us that life is always full of new beginnings and bright possibilities.

Together, we can make Boyd County the Daffodil Capitol of Kentucky—and who knows? Maybe one day, our golden meadows will be a must-see destination for springtime visitors from across the state and beyond. Let’s keep those daffodils blooming!