Is this Britain’s most magnificent magnolia?
Take a picture of a better one and you could win £500!
HURRAH! It’s Nature’s sensational way of announcing spring is really here. With their sumptuous pink and white fleshy flowers, magnolias are the current showstoppers in gardens across Britain.
From the goblet-shaped displays of the most common variety, Magnolia soulangeana, to the ragged white petals of the stellata, they are irrepressible favourites.
Since the start of the month, staff at Kew Gardens have been boasting about the beauty of their 250 magnolias, which date back to the early 1900s. While some blossoms are now at their best and others are still to thrill, Radio 4’s John Humphrys remarked sadly yesterday that all the petals on the specimen in his own London garden have already dropped.
Despite becoming a fixture in Britain, the trees have strong French ties, having been named in the 18th century after botanist Pierre Magnol. And the soulangeana was introduced by Etienne SoulangeBodin, a cavalry officer in Napoleon’s army, who crossed other species.
Yet now they are as British as April showers. ÷ DO you live near a magnificent magnolia? Take a snap, send it to us with details of where it is — and the best photo will win £500 of garden centre vouchers. Simply email to magnolia@dailymail.co.uk or post it to Magnolia, Daily Mail Letters, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT. Entries must arrive by 11.59pm on April 25.