Spring Magnolia Display Begins at Lanhydrock Garden
Visitors to the National Trust’s Lanhydrock in Cornwall are being treated to a spectacular spring display after the garden’s famous magnolia collection burst into bloom almost overnight.
Following a mild winter and a recent rise in temperatures, many of the magnolia trees across the historic garden have flowered at once. The sudden change has transformed the woodland garden into clouds of pink, purple and white blossom.
The peak display is expected to continue from now until Easter.
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A collection that began with five trees
Lanhydrock is home to more than 137 varieties of magnolia, making it one of the most significant collections in the South West.
The collection began in the early twentieth century when Gerald Robartes planted just five trees in the garden. Over time, later head gardeners expanded the planting into the large and varied collection visitors see today.
Some of the garden’s oldest magnolias are now approaching a century old, while younger trees planted in recent decades are helping continue the display for future generations.
A dramatic change over a single weekend
Olly Harper, Head Gardener at the National Trust’s Lanhydrock, said the scale and speed of this year’s flowering has been remarkable.
“We thought the magnolias might be quite late this year,” he said, “but I left work on Friday and came back on Monday to what felt like an explosion of colour across the garden. The change over the weekend was incredible.”
Magnolias are among the most striking signs of spring at Lanhydrock, producing large sculptural flowers before many other trees begin to grow leaves.
Olly said visitors often experience the display as they walk through the woodland garden towards the mansion.
“As you walk down towards the mansion through the woodland garden, you’re suddenly surrounded by these clouds of pink and white blossoms appearing amongst the bare branches. It’s one of those moments that stops people in their tracks.”
Varieties with Lanhydrock roots now flowering
Several magnolia varieties that originated at Lanhydrock are also coming into flower now.
Magnolia ‘Albatross’, a white variety, along with Magnolia ‘Lanhydrock’ and Magnolia ‘Peter Borlase’, were first registered by former head gardeners and remain an important part of the garden’s horticultural history.
While the exact timing of the display changes each year depending on the weather, Olly said the recent conditions have helped accelerate flowering.
“Plants will flower when they’re ready, and we’re always learning more about how they respond to changing weather. A mild winter followed by warmer temperatures has really accelerated things this year.”
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Trees that hold family memories
For many visitors, the magnolias are also tied to long standing personal memories of the garden.
“I recently spoke to a visitor who showed me a photograph of her children under the magnolias when they were young, and then another photo of her grandchildren standing in exactly the same spot. That’s the power of these trees. They become part of people’s family memories.”
With magnolias now flowering across the garden, the team at Lanhydrock expects the coming weeks to offer one of the most impressive displays of the year.
“Between now and Easter is going to be a fantastic time to visit,” said Olly. “The magnolias are putting on a really special show.”
More information about visiting Lanhydrock can be found on the National Trust website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock
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