When I saw the text from my neighbour last week letting me know her magnolia tree had flowered, I rushed over with my camera. The forecast had been for rain but we were lucky to have a whole week of fine weather; the best way to admire the handkerchief coral tepals is under sea blue sky. The spread of the branches takes up a quarter of her small back garden and creates shade for most of the year. She has thought about cutting it back but never has because she is worried it would stop flowering. The magnolia flower represents "splendid beauty and dignity". From a little sappling she thought didn't look so well when she planted it, to a diva of spring in our neighbourhood.
Beautiful flowers, they always look so exotic. Sadly the ones I've seen round here caught the frost and turned brown, such a shame. xx
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of brown frost damaged ones around me too, which is a shame. I absolutely love magnolias.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous - lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Oh that is a shame. I was reading that ones in woodland settings may do better and there are later flowering varieties which may avoid frost.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz
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I LOVE Magnolias too...they're so elegant and feminine :) Did you know that it's an ancient tree as well? I read somewhere that Magnolias as we know them today have been around for at least 20 million years!
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't that incredible Tanya. A tree to be respected!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful and the fact your neighbor planted it from a sapling makes it all the more special.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have one in my garden - sadly, they grow far to big - but they do look wonderful when in full show-off mode.
ReplyDeleteThat's true Tina. I love to hear the story of my neighbour's garden.
ReplyDeleteDo you know about the star magnolia Elaine? The magnolia stellata. It's very slow growing, still only 4-5ft after ten years. Will reach a height of ten feet eventually. There is one in a tiny front garden near me that has beautiful flowers on every year. The flowers open early so may be affected by frost. They are lightly scented though I have never leaned into the garden for a sniff (have been known to stand sniffing flowers that hang out onto the pavement).
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Beautiful blooms! Also +1 for the recommendation of M. stellata, wonderfully small and cheerful specimen.
ReplyDeleteAren't they Mr. Bainbridge!
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Beautiful... Your pitures are perfect, love`em
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day :o)
Natasha
Thank you Natasha. I hope you've finally seen the back of the snow!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jooles
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