Home › The Early Bulb Order › The Early Bulb Order: Barri

The Early Bulb Order: Barri

Narcissus Barri. A very short trumpet, less than one third the length of the perianth. Coloring, all yellow or with bright orange cup. Narcissus Leedsi. Short trumpet of palest primrose color or white. Narcissus poeticus (poets narcissus). Extremely short cup or eye; waxy white perianth, vividly colored eye.

Narcissus jonquilla (jonquil). Grasslike foliage the outstanding characteristic. Small sweet-scented flowers, single or in clusters, bright yellow in color.

Narcissus tazetta (polyanthus narcissus). Bunch-flowered, very sweet-scented. Not hardy out of doors except in the extreme South. Unexcelled for forcing. The gardener who limits his order to the old-fashioned trumpet varieties misses the pleasure of knowing some of the most delightful members of the narcissus family, for the Leedsi and Incomparabilis groups contain varieties of rare and dainty loveliness. The large trumpet varieties are the first to come into bloom, the Incomparabilis and Barri groups come into flower a few weeks later, and the Leedsi and poets narcissus bloom last of all, so that by ordering varieties from each group one may considerably prolong the narcissus season.

Of the trumpet narcissus, Emperor, Empress, and Mme. de Graaff are excellent varieties and are reasonable in price. King Alfred and Van Waveren's Giant are considerably more expensive and produce magnificent great blooms, so would be the probable choice of the gardener who wishes an exceptionally fine display and does not have to consider the cost.

Of the Incomparabilis group, Sir Watkin and Lucifer are two of the best and are well worth growing. Will Scarlet is one of the newer introductions and is consequently more expensive. It has a creamy white perianth and a widely expanded cup of brilliant orange-scarlet.

Barri Conspicuus is the best-known member of the Barri group and a few should be included in every order. The perianth is pale primrose-yellow, the shallow cup being a deeper yellow edged with orange.

Of the Leedsi group, White Lady, Mrs. Langtry, and Queen of the North are three of the best. They are dainty, exquisite things and general favorites. They bloom at the same time as do the forget-me-nots and the two form a very happy combination.

Last of all on the list comes the poets narcissus, which brings the season to a close. These, too, are lovely when blooming up through a bed of forget-me-nots or when planted about the margin of a pool. Poeticus ornatus and poeticus King Edward VII are two of the best varieties. A few little sweet-scented jonquils might be added to the list if one is particularly fond of them.