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Gardens with magnolias

Two visitors explore outside at Dyffryn Gardens, following a concrete path that leads to five steps leading down to a lower level of the garden. They're surrounded by evergreen foliage and a large white magnolia tree overhead.
Visitors exploring Dyffryn Gardens in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Magnolias are a diverse family of shrubs and trees with large, flamboyant flowers that range from bright white to deep purple. We’ve rounded up our top pick of places to see them over spring and early summer.

Blickling Estate, Norfolk
As the weather gets warmer, Blickling Estate comes alive with colour. Take a stroll around the West Garden to see the soft pinks and crisp whites of the magnolias in bloom.Visit Blickling Estate
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Spot a range of magnolias at Bodnant Garden, many of which date back 100 years or more. During spring, a pink magnolia tree towers over the entrance to the garden – why not pause for a photo?Visit Bodnant Garden
Croft Castle, Herefordshire
Walk through a colourful display of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias at Croft Castle this spring. Pop into the walled garden to see the apple trees in blossom too.Visit Croft Castle
Dudmaston, Shropshire
There are magnolia trees dotted all around the American Garden at Dudmaston, along with rhododendrons and azaleas. Look out for the unusual purple-red magnolia in the clock tower border too.Visit Dudmaston
Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester
Walk beneath pure white magnolias in bloom at Dunham Massey, just one of the spring blooms to see here. Carpets of daffodils, tulips and bluebells add splashes of colour to the grounds every year.Visit Dunham Massey
Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan
After a cold winter, Dyffryn Gardens springs back to life with an array of spring blooms. Bold magnolias flower above swathes of crocuses and daffodils, followed by rhododendrons and azaleas.Visit Dyffryn Gardens
Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall
Pink and white magnolias add pastel shades to Glendurgan in spring. Camellias and rhododendrons are also in their element here, often blooming early thanks to the warming Gulf Stream.Visit Glendurgan Garden
Greenway, Devon
Agatha Christie's beloved holiday home, Greenway, welcomes the start of spring when the magnolias bloom. Keep an eye out for the bright pink magnolia tree that was planted by her archaeologist husband, Max Mallowan.Visit Greenway
Mother and daughter sitting beneath magnolia tree on sunny day
Visitors beneath a magnolia tree at Nymans, West Sussex | © National Trust Images/John Miller
Greys Court, Oxfordshire
See magnolias blossoming in the Tower Garden when you visit Greys Court, along with a variety of seasonal bulbs. Return later in spring to see the historic wisteria arch in bloom – now more than 130 years old.Visit Greys Court
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
Explore Hinton Ampner with its manicured lawns and far-reaching views over the South Downs. There's a large magnolia tree that's as tall as the house, as well as a magnolia walk that's full of fragrant white and pink flowers in spring.Visit Hinton Ampner
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Lanhydrock is home to more than 200 magnolias, which are found around the higher gardens. It’s possible to find a magnolia in flower every month of the year, but the best display occurs in springtime.Visit Lanhydrock
Mottisfont, Hampshire
In late March, a large magnolia tree at Mottisfont springs to life. It creates an archway of snowy blossom, which you can walk under on your way to the cherry orchard.Visit Mottisfont
Nostell, West Yorkshire
Look out for magnolias in the Menagerie Garden at Nostell, which was planted in 1743. The Menagerie House, designed by Robert Adam, was once home to exotic species such as monkeys, colourful birds and lions.Visit Nostell
Nymans, West Sussex
The magnolia collection at Nymans includes specimens taken from the wild by Victorian collectors and varieties bred at the garden. Look out for an unusual yellow magnolia and the popular magnolia ‘Leonard Messel’, named for a family member.Visit Nymans
Overbecks, Devon
Exotic plants from around the world flourish in this subtropical seaside paradise. There's a splendid Magnolia campbellii, planted when the gardens were laid out around an earlier house at the turn of the century.Visit Overbecks
Visitors in the Walled Garden in spring at Mottisfont, Hampshire
Visitors in the Walled Garden in spring at Mottisfont, Hampshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
Magnolias flower freely across the garden, courtyard and woodland at Powis Castle. Wander down the Italianate terraces to see pure white magnolias standing out against the red brickwork.Visit Powis Castle
Rowallane Garden, County Down
Originally built for vegetables by the Reverend John Moore, the walled garden at Rowallane is a must-see for magnolias, daphnes and azaleas. There are more than 15 different magnolia species, many of which flower over April and May.Visit Rowallane Garden
Sizergh, Cumbria
The magnolia in Sizergh’s South Garden wakes up as spring unfurls, with fragrant pink and white flowers. Stroll into the Stumpery to discover more than a dozen varieties of miniature daffodils.Visit Sizergh
Springhill, County Londonderry
In that garden at Springhill is a magnolia that needs to be sniffed to be believed. Each year, the flowers give off a sweet scent that resembles white chocolate.Visit Springhill
Trelissick, Cornwall
The gardeners at Trelissick cultivate several varieties of magnolias, including the star magnolia with its light scent. Spot the different shades of pink in the garden as magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons spring to life.Visit Trelissick
Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall
Take a stroll around Trengwainton to see magnolias in all colours. The earliest to flower is the towering Campbell’s magnolia in the walled garden, which is designated an English Champion due to the width of its canopy.Visit Trengwainton Garden
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Yorkshire
Magnificent early flowering species of magnolia, rhododendrons and Camellia Williamsii gradually light up the gardens, creating a heady combination of colour and scent for visitors.Visit Wentworth Castle Gardens
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Head to Magnolia Wood and the lower banks of Sorbus Hill to discover more than 30 different magnolia species. Look out for the Campbell’s magnolia with its dark pink flowers along the Spring Walk.Visit Winkworth Arboretum
View of the lake with Palladian bridge and Pantheon in the distance in spring at Stourhead, Wiltshire

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