“Magnificent Magnolias!”
If you missed our peak magnolia bloom, you can extend their beauty virtually here enjoying several wonderful photos of a few of my personal favorites. Many thanks to both Niall Dunne – Arboretum Foundation Communications Manager and Bulletin editor, Ray Larson – UW Botanic Gardens Interim Director and Skylar Lin – PSGO aerial photographer for sharing their extraordinary photos capturing these magnificent magnolias in bloom!
1) Magnolia ‘Caerhays Belle’
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- Developed at Caerhays Castle, Cornwall, England from a cross between M. sargentiana v. robusta (featured below) and M. ‘Diva’ found in our Camellia Collection.
- Simply outstanding, this is one of our earliest saucer-type magnolia hybrids to bloom.
- Our one tree is located at the entrance to our Puget Sound Rhododendron Hybrid Garden, grid 27-1W.
2) Magnolia campbellii Campbell’s Magnolia
Niall Dunne
- Catch a glimpse of this Himalayan magnolia’s flowers looking south from the north side of Rhododendron Glen’s “horse-shoe” bend, grid 12-5E.
- Stunning dark pink tepals are easy to miss unless you look up when underneath its canopy.
3) Magnolia ‘Mark Jury’
David Zuckerman
- This somewhat hidden and shaded Magnolia hybrid is named after New Zealand plantsman and magnolia breeder, Mark Jury.
- Procured from Gossler Farms, Oregon in 1992. It is a cross between M. campbellii and M. sargentiana (#2 and #4).
- Located in the Magnolia section just off the Upper Trail across from the entrance to our Asian Maple display, grid 27-1E, you will need to look up to appreciate its beauty in flower. You will not be disappointed!
4) Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta Sargent’s Magnolia
Ray Larson
- Arguably, one of our most admired magnolias due to its close proximity to Arboretum Drive and Rhododendron Glen parking lots, grid 13-7E.
- Massive saucer-type flowers, a few at eye-level to view and photograph close-up!
- Native to China, especially the forests in Szechwan Province.
5) Magnolia x kewensis ‘Wada’s Memory’
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- This Arboretum introduction was selected by Director Brian Mulligan from a group of seedlings procured from nurseryman Koichiro Wada of Japan in 1940.
- Known for its large and showy flowers, it is indeed a star among the star-type magnolia group.
- The original tree (869-40*A) is located in the Upper Rhododendron Glen, grid 11-6E.