RHS launches campaign to map rare pink daffodils across UK gardens
Only 6% of UK's 30,000 daffodil varieties contain pink coloring
Public can submit photos and samples of suspected pink daffodils for expert verification
The rare 'Mrs R.O Backhouse' variety was created by plant breeder Sarah Backhouse
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The Royal Horticultural Society has launched a campaign across the UK to map rare pink daffodils, urging the public to help identify the elusive 'Mrs R.O Backhouse' variety in their gardens and community spaces this spring. The trumpet-shaped flowers, which are the national flower of Wales, typically come in yellow but also appear in white, orange and the rare salmon-pink variety that experts fear may be disappearing. RHS botanists are encouraging citizens to photograph any suspected pink daffodils they encounter, as only approximately 6% of the 30,000 known daffodil varieties in the UK contain pink coloring. The conservation effort aims to preserve cultivated diversity in gardens before these unique flowers vanish entirely. The rare pink daffodil, officially named 'Mrs R.O Backhouse', was created by plant breeder Sarah Backhouse and has been the most well-known pink variety for over 90 years. Participants who report potential pink daffodils will be asked to submit samples to the RHS's John MacLeod Field Research Facility in Surrey, where expert botanists will examine and verify the specimens. According to RHS chief horticulturist Guy Barter, this verification process is crucial as distinguishing between the 30,000 daffodil varieties requires an experienced eye. The RHS, in partnership with Plant Heritage conservation charity, is also searching for two other rare daffodils: the white double-flowered 'Mrs William Copeland' and the orange and yellow double-flowered 'Sussex Bonfire'. Dr. Kalman Konyves, the RHS's principal plant scientist, noted that while yellow daffodils remain the most popular variety, the adaptable pink ones have proven less common than expected. Last year's Daffodil Diaries campaign received over 3,000 submissions, demonstrating public interest in preserving floral diversity. The garden charity hopes that through this initiative, they can successfully breed and reintroduce the rare salmon-pink daffodil to wider cultivation, ensuring its survival for future generations to enjoy.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity.
The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (North Yorkshire), Rosemoor (Devon) and Bridgewater (Greater...
This conservation campaign matters as it aims to preserve rare plant diversity and cultural heritage, specifically targeting the potentially disappearing pink daffodil varieties. It affects gardeners, plant enthusiasts, and the general public in the UK who can participate in citizen science. The effort highlights the importance of maintaining cultivated biodiversity and the role of public engagement in conservation efforts.
Context & Background
Daffodils are the national flower of Wales and hold cultural significance in the region
There are approximately 30,000 known daffodil varieties in the UK, with only about 6% containing pink coloring
The 'Mrs R.O Backhouse' variety was created by plant breeder Sarah Backhouse over 90 years ago and has been the most well-known pink variety
The RHS has previously run conservation campaigns like the 'Daffodil Diaries' which received significant public participation
The RHS is collaborating with Plant Heritage conservation charity on this initiative
Yellow daffodils remain the most popular variety, while pink ones have proven less common than expected
What Happens Next
During the spring blooming season, participants will photograph and submit suspected pink daffodil samples to the RHS's John MacLeod Field Research Facility in Surrey. Expert botanists will examine and verify the specimens, with the goal of breeding and reintroducing the rare salmon-pink daffodil to wider cultivation. The campaign may also expand to search for other rare varieties like 'Mrs William Copeland' and 'Sussex Bonfire', building on the success of last year's Daffodil Diaries which received over 3,000 submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the RHS specifically looking for pink daffodils?
The RHS is concerned that rare pink daffodil varieties, particularly the 'Mrs R.O Backhouse' variety, may be disappearing and wants to preserve this cultivated diversity before they vanish entirely.
How can people participate in this campaign?
People across the UK are encouraged to photograph any suspected pink daffodils in their gardens or community spaces and submit samples to the RHS's John MacLeod Field Research Facility in Surrey for expert verification.
What makes identifying pink daffodils challenging?
Distinguishing between the 30,000 different daffodil varieties requires an experienced eye, which is why expert verification at the RHS facility is crucial for accurate identification.
Why is it important to preserve these rare daffodil varieties?
Preserving these varieties maintains genetic diversity in cultivated plants, protects horticultural heritage, and ensures future generations can enjoy these unique flowers that may otherwise disappear.
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Original Source
Rare pink daffodils might be growing in your garden - could you spot one? 3 days ago Share Save Angharad Thomas BBC Wales Share Save Unusual pink daffodils could be blooming in gardens across the UK and experts are urging the public to help track them down. The trumpet-shaped yellow flower is a familiar sight in spring, but the national flower of Wales also comes in white, orange and salmon-pink - a variety which is now rare. The Royal Horticultural Society has launched a campaign to map the spring blooms and is urging the public to help them log any pink daffodils, known as 'Mrs R.O Backhouse', spotted growing in their gardens or local community spaces. Daffodils - or narcissus - have been bred for centuries and there are believed to be around 30,000 varieties in the UK, but only 6% contain pink. "Yellow daffodils are far and away the most popular, not unsurprising, for their welcome burst of colour," said Dr Kalman Konyves, the RHS's principal plant scientist. "But it is interesting to note that the more adaptable pinks have proven less popular than we might have assumed, and green and red varieties negligible, highlighting the importance in maintaining cultivated diversity in gardens." The public will be able to report suspected pink daffodils to the RHS by sending in photographs, which will be sent to expert botanists to examine. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales , RHS chief horticulturist Guy Barter said they would then ask the participants to send in a bulb so they could grow them at the John MacLeod Field Research Facility at Wisley, Surrey. Experts across the country would then be able to "examine and give us a definitive answer" if those discovered by the public are Narcissus 'Mrs R.O Backhouse'. 'Mrs R.O Backhouse' was named after plant breeder and horticulturist Sarah Backhouse, who created the first true pink daffodil. The variety became the most well-known and widely grown pink daffodil for over 90 years. The garden charity hopes the now rare salmon-pink flow...
