Magnolia dawsoniana
This magnificent magnolia is a dominant feature in The Picton Garden. Now, about 40 years old, the young plant was given to me by the late John Bond, when he was at The Savill Garden. During the michaelmas daisy season many visitors admire it's large leaves and,late October visitors can enjoy their yellow and russet autumn colouring.
Magnolia dawsoniana flowers in March and it's full glory at that time is enjoyed by those of us working in the garden and nursery and everyone who passes by the garden on Walwyn and Brockhill roads. Passengers on the local buses get the best view ! From planting, I had to wait patiently for 18 years before the first flower buds appeared.
Magnolia dawsoniana is native to West Szechuen, China and was introduced to cultivation by one of the U.K's greatest plant collectors, E.H.Wilson. The 1908 collection was for the Arnold Arboretum in the U.S.A. The first plants arrived in England in 1919 and flowered in Cornwall in 1937.
The plant is perfectly hardy in Colwall and has now reached a height of about 30 feet. There are years when a late frost destroys the opened or nearly opened flower buds; and, strong March winds can create much damage. This year we have enjoyed two weeks of unspoiled blossoms.