Description
‘P.R. Barr’
1Y-Y
[Yellow Trumpet 1a]
(Backhouse, W., pre-1869)
In Daffodils Narcissus and How to Grow them (1907, 1914), A.M. Kirby describes ‘P.R. Barr’ as “A splendid late-flowering Emperor-like variety of sturdy growth and free-flowering qualities”. Named after his son, Peter Rudolph, Peter Barr describes “this very distinct variety” as “in all respects the same as Emperor, but a smaller flower” (Daffodil Conference List, 1884). We heartily agree. A third of a century ago, when we didn’t know any better, we grew this stock as ‘Emperor’, but as named stocks of ‘Emperor’ eventually grew taller and produced larger flowers under Wester Ross conditions, it dawned on us that stock 91.003 wasn’t keeping up, and further study was required. ‘P.R. Barr’ is remarkably similar to ‘Emperor’, but the shorter flower stems nestle among the broad strap-like foliage. The sulphury cream perianth incurves over the long, chiselled trumpet, the margins of the segments becoming strongly recurved with age. The bright, strong primrose-yellow trumpet flares a little towards the slightly recurving, obscurely six-lobed rim, the margins of most lobes overlapping those of adjoining lobes and subdivided into two or three large, shallow lobules. As Kirby comments, “A valuable variety for anything”. Flowers late mid-season.
