Gardens with magnolias

A family in the garden in spring at Knightshayes, Devon | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Magnolias are a diverse family of deciduous and evergreen shrubs with blooms ranging from white to deep purple. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to see them from early spring until late summer or early autumn.

Blickling Estate, Norfolk: As the weather gets warmer Blickling begins to show its colours. Take a stroll around the grounds and head to the West Garden to see beautiful magnolias.Visit Blickling Estate
Bodnant Garden, Conwy: You can spot a range of magnolias at Bodnant Garden, many of them dating back 100 years or more. During spring the pink magnolia tree towers over the entrance to the garden – great for photos.Visit Bodnant
Croft Castle, Herefordshire: Enjoy the display of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias at Croft Castle.Visit Croft Castle
Dudmaston, Shropshire: There are magnolia trees dotted all around the American Garden at Dudmaston, but it’s worth finding the purpl-red Magnolia liliiflora variety in the clock tower border.Visit Dudmaston
Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester: During the First World War, soldiers found solace in the peaceful grounds at Dunham Massey. Walk among white magnolia blooms and find your own sanctuary in this historical garden.Visit Dunham Massey
Glendurgan Garden, Cornwall: Pink and white magnolias add colour to Glendurgan in spring. Take a walk through the gardens to see the magnolia displays as well as camellias, azaleas and wild flowers.Visit Glendurgan Garden
Greenway, Devon: Pink and white magnolia blooms signal the start of spring at Greenway. This was Agatha Christie’s beloved holiday home, and the magnolia tree here was planted by her husband Max Mallowan, which usually flowers in March.Visit Greenway
Greys Court, Oxfordshire: See magnolias blossoming in the Tower Garden when you visit Greys Court. Why not take a walk in peaceful surroundings and see what other spring flowers you can spot?Visit Greys Court
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire: Hinton Ampner has manicured lawns and far-reaching views over the South Downs. There's a huge magnolia tree that reaches to the top of the house, as well as a magnolia walk that's surrounded by fragrant white and pink flowers in spring.Visit Hinton Ampner
Mottisfont, Hampshire: In late March, a large magnolia tree at Mottisfont blossoms. 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, from monkeys and colourful birds to lions.Visit Nostell

Two visitors walking along a footpath through the garden, admiring a pink blossom tree in spring at Lanhydrock, Cornwall — Visitors walking in the spring garden at Lanhydrock | © National Trust Images / John Millar

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 in the 1950s which has since become very popular in domestic-sized gardens.Visit Nymans
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys: You can see bright pink and white magnolia blooms at Powis in spring, which can be seen as you wander around the terraces in the garden.Visit Powis Castle
Rowallane Garden, Northern Ireland: Originally built for vegetables by the Reverend John Moore, the walled garden at Rowallane is a must-see for magnolias, daphnes and azaleas. One of the magnolia trees is so tall that it can be seen from the car park when in bloom.Visit Rowallane Garden
Scotney Castle, Kent: You can mainly see magnolias at Scotney Castle on the ha-ha walk down from the visitor entrance, where there are a number of different species. You can see sinensis, stellata and sieboldii varieties of magnolias in the quarry garden and by the Brew House on the terrace at the back of the mansion.Visit Scotney Castle
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent: Magnolias flower throughout this world-famous garden in spring. You’ll find Crocus tommasinianus carpeting the floor in the Spring Garden – soon joined by Scilla messeniaca and then a rush of other spring flowers.Visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Springhill, County Londonderry: The garden and parkland at Springhill comes to life in spring, and you can spot the magnolia tree coming into bloom. Its scent is sometimes compared to chocolate, and the flowers are great for photo opportunities.Visit Springhill
Trelissick, Cornwall: The gardeners at Trelissick cultivate several varieties of magnolias, including Magnolia stellata. With its star-shaped flowers and light scent, it puts on a beautiful display in spring.Visit Trelissick
Trengwainton Garden, Cornwall: Take a stroll around Trengwainton in the early spring months to see Magnolia campbellii trees burst into life. Boasting large, waxy flowers in various shades of pink, white and magenta, they’re one of the largest magnolia trees in the garden and is over 90 years old.Visit Trengwainton Garden
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey: You can find 30 different Magnolia species and cultivars at Winkworth in spring. See the impressive Magnolia campbellii with its dark pink flowers and the County Champion Magnolia x veitchii along Spring Walk, which leads to ancient woodland along a path of 8ft tall camelias.Visit Winkworth Aboretum

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