Historic estate is perfect place to go daft for daffs

BACKHOUSE ROSSIE ESTATE, Auchtermuchty, Fife KY18 7UZ

WHY SHOULD WE VISIT?

In spring the gardens of Backhouse Rossie are filled with cheerful colour and, in the woods, the first of the wild flowers are now starting to appear.

Backhouse Rossie is one of many Scottish estates which welcome in visitors but the gardens here are also a treasure trove of important daffodils, bred by generations of one family of devotees.

STORY OF THE GARDEN

This historic estate, which dates back to the 11th century, is home to the the largest collection of Backhouse daffodils in the world, which are some of the first daffodil cultivars ever created in the UK from Wordsworth-style daffodils.

William Backhouse was one of the early pioneers in daffodil hybridisation, raising three important daffodils – Narcissus ‘Emperor’, N. ‘Empress’ and N. ‘Weardale Perfection’, the first known tetraploid cultivar in the UK and which has changed daffodil breeding for ever.

William’s brother and sons were also breeders and amongst the flowers they raised were the showy double Narcissus ‘Double Phoenix’, the sparkling white ‘Niveth’ and ‘Mrs R O Backhouse’, which for 90 years was the most widely-grown pink daffodil.

Today it is Caroline Thomson, a descendant of the Backhouse family, who along with her husband, Andrew, has turned detective to track down as many of those original daffodils as possible and she grows 89 different cultivars at the Backhouse Centre on the estate, along with thousands of different historic and modern daffodils.

These grow within the beautifullyrestored walled garden and throughout the grounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

The herbaceous borders at Backhouse Rossie are packed with colourful perennials, rare flowers and grasses. A decorative potager is home to cut flowers, soft fruit and herbs and scented roses scramble over archways, while pathways are lined with fragrant lilies and Dianthus.

Newly-planted alliums surround a grass labyrinth and in autumn colourful is provided by Crocosmia, Nerines and Dahlias.

DON’T MISS

A woodland walk takes visitors deep into the trees surrounding the house. The huge beech trees, old Sessile oaks, ash and Scots pine are home to butterflies, moths and red squirrels. Mosses, ferns and grasses grow in areas of dappled shade and a new fern walk is being develop in collaboration with experts at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

ANYTHING ELSE TO LOOK OUT FOR

A nine-hole putting green gives visitors the chance to try their hand at this decorous sport and a Bear Walk has been designed to enchant children. The walled garden is a favourite spot for weddings and the Backhouse Rossie Kitchen, set in a wooden pavilion, serves home-made treats using ingredients grown in the gardens.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

On Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 April, Backhouse Rossie will be hosting Scotland’s Daffodil Festival 2022 when the National Collection will be in bloom. It will be a chance for daffodil lovers to enjoy these historic flowers at their best. There will be talks, demonstrations, garden tours, stalls and plant sales, with a quiz and bear walk for children.

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AREA?

The beaches of St Andrews are a short drive away. On a day filled with spring sunshine, a visit to Backhouse Rossie can be combined with a stroll along the West Sands.

DIRECTIONS:

Backhouse Rossie is situated off the A91 between Auchtermuchty and Cupar.

DETAILS:

Tel: 0844 414 5803 Info@backhouserossie. co.uk www.backhouserossie. co.uk