Colourful magnolias on display at Borde Hill Garden this spring

A magnolia trail is set to run from March to April, and will show early spring specimens including magnolia sprengeri var, magnolia campbellii, which is more than 60ft tall, magnolia ampbellii var mollicomata, magnolia dawsoniana and magnolia sargentiana var.

Most of these magnolias came from the original seedlings introduced into cultivation in the UK by notable plant hunters including E.H. Wilson and George Forrest, and many of them are ‘champion’ trees, meaning they are the largest trees of their species.

During May, Borde Hill Garden will have the towering cream flowered magnolia obovate from Japan, magnolia fraseri from USA, and magnolia officinalis from China, prized as much for its bark as for its scented flowers.

Robin Lane Fox of the Financial Times described these three ‘champion’ specimens as ‘truly a holy trinity’ in this ‘haven of historic specimens’ when he visited last year.

Borde Hill’s magnolias carry on flowering into the summer months of July and August, with magnolia Kay Parris, a variety of M grandiflora, in full bloom on the Italian Terrace, while magnolia grandiflora ‘Goliath’ stands tall against the stately home.

Gardiner’s Grove, a meadow with 48 specimens of magnolia trees chosen for their scientific and educational interest by RHS vice president Jim Gardiner, former president of Magnolia Society International, demonstrates the diversity of this amazing tree.

Borde Hill Garden will be open to the public from Saturday, February 13 to Wednesday, November 3.

Borde Hill also has a playground and picnic areas.

All tickets must be pre-booked at http://www.bordehill.co.uk.

Tickets cost £9.95 for an adult, £9.50 for concessions, £6.70 for children, and an annual family day ticket costs £32.