Mrs. R.O. Backhouse
Classification:
2 W-P[ Large-Cupped ]
Season:
Mid-Season to Late
Height:
Standard - 32.5 to 67.5 cm (12.8 to 26.6 in)
Raiser:
Registered:
Yes, before 1921
Special Class:
Seed Parent: 
Lord Kitchener 2 W-Y 
Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England
Year Registered: 1905
Minnie Hume x Weardale Perfection
Lord Kitchener
?
Pollen Parent: 
3W-R seedling
Chromosomes:
28
Pedigree Chart:
Fertility:
Both Seed and Pollen fertile
Used as parent:
2 times as seed, 26 times as pollen
Descendants:
Comments

Fl. 97 mm wide; perianth segments ovate in outline, rounded or somewhat squarish at apex, prominently mucronate, spreading, slightly twisted, overlapping half; the inner segments more or less inflexed; corona cylindrical, pale apricot pink, shading to a deeper tone at rim, with mouth slightly expanded and loosely frilled, rim crenate. Parentage thought to be ‘Lord Kitchener’ and possibly ‘Will Scarlett’.

According to daffodil historian John Hunter, of the National Daffodil Society of New Zealand, a description from a book published in 1962 stated, “Only one reliable pink and white daffodil has yet become low-priced. This is ‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse’ which has rather poor, thin waved petals and a largish crown quite richly colored a shell pink which is deepest around the brim.”

A description according to Heirloom Daffodil Bulbs: “Known for decades as THE pink daffodil, ‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse’ is one of the landmark bulbs of the 20th century. She’s more truly ivory and apricot, but so beautiful – a veritable sunrise for those who watch closely – that most modern pinks just can’t compare.”

Origin of Name

Named by Robert Backhouse in 1923 in memory of his late wife Sarah Elizabeth, née Dodgson (1857-1921). Sarah was renowned for her daffodil breeding accomplishments. She was particularly known for producing new varieties of red-cupped daffodils.

Synonyms:

'Mrs. Backhouse'

Click on the thumbnails to see the full size photos or historic images  

Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #60211 Vee Kozma, USA
Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #51464 P. de Jager and Sons, the Netherlands
Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #48997 U.S. National Arboretum, USA
Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #46918 Deb Pratt, USA
Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #46190 Quality Daffodils, England
Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #46015 Oregon Bulb Farms, USA
Mrs. R.O. BackhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #31303 RHS Yearbook, England
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #27255 P. de Jager and Sons, the Netherlands
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #18144 Lillian A. Guernsey, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #16640 Becky Fox Matthews, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #16639 Becky Fox Matthews, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #16638 Becky Fox Matthews, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #14395 Kirby Fong, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #11376 Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #9985 Ralph Sowell, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #7838 Ian Tyler, England
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #7311 Becky Fox Matthews, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #6482 Mary Durtschi, USA
Mrs. r.o. backhouseMrs. R.O. Backhouse, 2 W-P, Mrs. R.O. (Sarah) Backhouse, England, 1921
Photo #6246 Willis H. Wheeler, USA