Pink daffodil: Brits urged to check gardens for rare variety

The Royal Horticultural Society says about 6% of UK daffodils show pink and is asking gardeners to report or, with permission, donate possible Mrs R.O. Blackhouse (also reported as Mrs R O Backhouse) bulbs so they can be trialled and preserved.

The Royal Horticultural Society is asking gardeners across the UK to look for a rare pink daffodil this spring. The variety is reported as Mrs R.O Blackhouse (also referred to as Mrs R O Backhouse) and dates back more than 100 years. RHS mapping work has found that only around six per cent of recorded daffodils contain pink. The charity has set up trials and identification work at its Wisley research facility to confirm and preserve rare varieties. Known details: - The RHS 'Daffodil Diaries' mapping project recorded that roughly 60% of reported daffodils were trumpet types and 56% were all-yellow varieties. - Around 6% of recorded daffodils were reported to contain pink, with 1% green and 0.4% red. - The pink variety reported as Mrs R.O Blackhouse is described as having a solid coral-pink trumpet and ivory outer petals and is thought to have been bred by Sara Backhouse. - The RHS will invite owners of suspected rare varieties to have plants raised in a trial at Wisley for expert assessment. - If confirmed, some bulbs identified as Mrs R.O Blackhouse may be donated, with owners' permission, to plant breeder Scamps Daffodils and partner collections to support wider cultivation. Summary: The RHS's mapping work offers a snapshot of cultivated daffodil diversity and flowering patterns across the UK. Reported specimens will be grown and assessed at Wisley to confirm identities, and confirmed rare varieties may be propagated in collaboration with breeders and collection holders. Assessments and trial work are expected to continue into next spring.