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, or stroll among the other spring flowers that grow here. Carpets of daffodils, tulips and bluebells add a splash of colour to the grounds each 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

A view underneath a large pink magnolia in bloom to the small thatched cottage behind it. The lawn beneath the tree is trimmed and well manicured while the cottage is covered in foliage climbing up the walls. — A magnolia in bloom in front of a thatched cottage at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/Hilary Daniel

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 which was planted by her archaeologist husband, Max Mallowan.Visit Greenway
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. Stroll through the magnolia glade and the magnolia arch by the thatched cottage or take in the view from the raised terrace. 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 both Victorian wild collected specimens and varieties bred at the garden itself. Named after a family member, magnolia ‘Leonard Messel’ was a chance cross-breed in the 1950s which has since become very popular in domestic-sized gardens.Visit Nymans

Mother and daughter sitting beneath magnolia tree on sunny day — Visitors beneath a magnolia tree at Nymans, West Sussex | © National Trust Images/John Miller

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 to be found, many of which flower over April and May.Visit Rowallane Garden
Scotney Castle, Kent: Take the ha-ha walk down from the visitor entrance to see a variety of magnolia species in bloom. You can also find them in the Quarry Garden and by the Brew House, along with daffodils, snake’s head fritillaries and primroses.Visit Scotney Castle
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent: Find magnolias flowering throughout this world-famous garden in spring. You’ll also see crocuses carpeting the floor in the Spring Garden – soon joined by scilla and a rush of other spring flowers.Visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden
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 boasting large, waxy flowers in various shades of pink, white and magenta. 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
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey: Discover more than 30 different magnolia species at Winkworth Arboretum. Look out for the Campbell’s magnolia with its dark pink flowers along the Spring Walk, which leads to ancient woodland along a path of 8ft tall camellias.Visit Winkworth Arboretum

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