New Book Explores Magnolia Collection at Caerhays Castle

The Cornish Garden Behind One of the World’s Greatest Magnolia Collections

A landmark new book is set to shine a spotlight on one of Cornwall’s most remarkable gardens, telling the story of how a coastal estate became home to a globally significant collection of magnolia trees.

The Magnolias at Caerhays Castle, written by estate owner and garden curator Charles Williams, will be published on 1st April. The book brings together decades of horticultural knowledge, family history and plant exploration, highlighting the role Caerhays has played in developing and nurturing magnolias.

A Garden Where Spring Arrives Early

On a remote stretch of Cornwall’s south coast, spring arrives weeks earlier than in many other parts of Britain. Each year, the gardens at Caerhays burst into bloom as magnolia trees flower across the estate.

Thanks to Cornwall’s mild, ocean tempered climate and deep soils, the gardens have been able to grow magnolias at a scale rarely seen outside their natural habitats in Asia and the Americas.

Since the gardens first opened in 1808, five generations of the Williams family have collected, nurtured and bred plants from around the world. Today, Caerhays holds a Plant Heritage National Collection of Magnolias and is home to more than 750 species, cultivars and hybrids, making it one of the most important magnolia collections anywhere.

From Plant Hunters to Modern Breeding

The book traces the journey of magnolias from early plant hunting expeditions in China through to modern breeding programmes in Cornwall, Europe, New Zealand and the USA.

It also explores how new varieties have expanded the range of colours, sizes and flowering times. As a result, magnolias are no longer limited to large estates and grand gardens, with many now suited to smaller gardens and even containers.

Richly illustrated with more than a thousand photographs taken over many spring seasons, the book includes aerial images showing mature trees in bloom across the estate, offering readers a view of the scale of the collection and the dedication behind it.

Continuing a Family Legacy

Charles Williams, a recipient of the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour, has continued a long family tradition of plant development and horticultural work at Caerhays.

His great grandfather, J.C. Williams, bred the original x williamsii strain of camellias in the 1920s. These plants went on to influence camellia cultivation around the world.

Alongside his work at Caerhays, Charles is also the senior partner of Burncoose Nurseries and a long standing member of the RHS Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group. Over the years he has introduced and championed numerous new magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias for registration and awards.

Book Launch at Cornwall Flower Show

The Magnolias at Caerhays Castle will be officially launched at the Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show. Charles Williams will be at the event to talk about the gardens and sign copies of the book.

Caerhays Castle and Gardens form part of the wider Caerhays Estate on Cornwall’s south coast and are internationally recognised for their historic tree collections.