Magnolia

Botanic Garden

Magnolia

In 1901 the Gloucestershire plant collector Ernest Wilson collected seeds of an unknown magnolia in woodland south of Yichang in Western Hubei, China. They were sent to Veitch’s Coombe Wood Nursery in Surrey where they germinated. In 1913 Sir Harry Veitch closed his business and some of Wilson’s magnolias were bought by J. C. Williams of Caerhays, Cornwall. After many years the seedlings eventually flowered a rich pink. Specimens were sent to Kew for identification and the plant was described as Magnolia sprengeri var. sprengeri ‘Diva’, (Goddess Magnolia). This beautiful magnolia, propagated from the original plant growing at Caerhays Castle in Cornwall, now grows within the Evolutionary Dell at the Botanic Garden.

  • Photographer: J. C. Williams
  • Copyright: University of Bristol
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