Lilium ‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse’ has small yellow blooms with tightly recurved petals speckled with red spots in early spring. The stems stand 3 to 5 feet tall with flowers that are only 1½ to 2 inches. This is a Martagon hybrid, developed from Martagon native to Europe. Martagon lilies are well adapted to shade. They stand tall with clusters of multiple Turk's cap flowers and whorled leaves. Typically they have a strong fragrance. Mrs. R.O. Backhouse received the Award of Garden Merit presented by the Royal Horticulture Society of England. The grace and beauty of this lily make it a lovely addition to the garden. Lilies love full sun but will do well in partial shade. They tolerate hot summer days, as long as the bulbs are deep enough to remain cool. Lower plants surrounding the lilies will help protect their roots from drying out. As a lily becomes more established, it will produce more blooms on higher stems. Lilies make an excellent cut flower with long-lasting blooms and buds that continue to mature and open after cutting.