The Daffodil Project
How it began…
Now in its fifth year, the Daffodil Project began in 2020 with the planting of hundreds of daffodil bulbs along Metacom Avenue (north), in Mrs. Perry’s Garden, at Mt. Hope Farm, and in the garden behind Rogers Free Library.
In 2021, thanks to a grant from the Toyota National Scenic Byway Foundation planting attention was focused on Route 114 (Ferry Road and Hope Street). The club continued to plant daffodils along the scenic byway and Rt 136 (Metacom Ave).
Where can you see the Daffodils?
As of 2024 the club members and volunteers have planted, donated and sold over 35,000 bulbs. Our planting sites start at our two Welcome to Bristol signs and run the length of Bristol extending to the Mount Hope Bridge dividers.
The daffodils bloom mid-April and can be seen at the following locations.
Audubon to South Lane, ~ 5,000 bulbs over two years 2022 and 2023
Benjamin Church, 250, grant donated 2022
Bradford Norris Diamond B&B, 250, donated 2022
North Burial Ground, 150, grant donation 2022
Herreshoff Museum, 150, donation 2022
Stone walls at Mount Hope Bridge, 2,000 bulbs 2021 and 2022
Burnside Building, donated grant funds 2022, 2023
Bristol Town Hall, grant funds 2022, 2023
Bristol State House Foundation, donated 240 High Street 2021-2023
Fatima Garden, 2021
Welcome to Bristol sign Route 136, 2022, grant funds
Welcome to Bristol sign Route 114, 2022, grant funds
Seabra Grocery Store planter, BGC donation 2022
Stone Wall at Ferry and Hope grant funds, private donation 2021,2022,2023
Hope Street to High Street, donated and private purchase 2022, 2023 & 2024
Dividers at Wood and Ferry, grant funds 2023 & 2024
Griswold and Ferry, 2024 town grant and BGC donation
Elks Club, 3 dozen BGC donation. 2022
Thomas Park 2022 grant and BGC donation
Mrs. Perry’s Garden, 2021, 2022, 2023 town grant and BGC donation
Hope Street Lamp posts, grant funds
Bristol Post Office, purchased by a post office employee 100, planted 2023
Town Common benches, 2022 grant funds
Colt State Park / Parks and Recreation Center, 100 planted 2023
Roger’s Free Library, 2022, 2023 Friends of the library grant and private donation. 2024, succession planting with a variety of spring bulbs.
Mount Hope Farm entrance, 750/ 2023, 750/ 2024 town grant and BGC donation
Veterans Home on Route 136 250, 2023 BGC donation
Colt School, 250, 2023 town grant and BGC donation
Rockwell School 2023 (250) & 2024 (250) town grant and BGC donation
Guitierrez School 2023 town grant and BGC donation
McCarthy’s Auto Repair Service, 339 Matacom St. 2004. 500, purchased.
VFW, 1,000 bulbs 2024. Purchased by VFW.
Wood Street wall 2023 town grant and BGC donation
Private residence on Dewolf Ave, 2024 1,000 purchased.
High Street Residence, 250 donated by the BGC and town grants.
The Enright Group, 250 purchased and donated to Saint Philomena School in Portsmouth.
Note: Donated bulbs and purchased bulbs are planted by Bristol Garden Club members, their gracious volunteers and Bristol’s Department of Public Works.
Our Support
The Town of Bristol generously provides funding to the Garden Club for the Daffodil Project through its annual grant program. The funds are matched with funds raised by the Club through various events and activities, including the sale of some of the bulbs. Many thanks to the Bristol leadership, including the Town Council, Warren Rensehausen, the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Christopher Parella of the Department of Public Works, Diane Williamson, the Director of Community Development, and to the numerous volunteers and club members who have donated their time, labor and days of labor to bring a daffodil pathway through our scenic town of Bristol.
Additional thanks to the Friends of the Library for supporting the daffodil project and expanding future library garden projects for the public to enjoy.
How can you help?
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Buy our bulbs: Each year, the Club sells daffodil bulbs at Mt. Hope Farm and elsewhere. Locations are advertised as they become know.
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Plant your own bulbs in your yard to expand the daffodil project beyond the main roads
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Make a donation by contacting us at bristolrigc@gmail.com
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Buy some chocolate! Several times a year we hold Yum raising events through See’s chocolates. If you would like to be added to our email list, please email us at Bristolrigc@gmail.com
Daffodil Project Questions answered
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Our bulbs are purchased midsummer, delivered late September and planted October and November.
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We use Dutch Master Bulbs for all the mass planting sites. The Dutch Master bulbs naturalize and require little to no maintenance.
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Our tools include shovels, trowels, Propluggers, purchased in 2022 and a large electric auger, purchased in 2023.
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The bulbs are planted 5 per square foot in a 5 dice pattern and staggered.
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We strongly suggest leaving the bulbs alone for 6 six weeks after bloom before cutting the foliage. The foliage feeds the plants for the next blooming season.
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The bulbs can be planted in sun and shade.
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For best results plant 6 inches deep.
Other sites you may want to visit.
Blithewold Mansion, Garden & Arboretum
For any additional information, please contact The Bristol Garden Club at Bristolrigc@gmail.com. We are happy to put you in touch with a member who can answer any questions about the Project.