Five Beautiful Things

Magnolias

The blossoming of the magnolia trees is one of the most anticipated highlights of spring for me. With their large, fragrant flowers and their lush, glossy foliage, there is so much to admire about this magnificent tree. Magnolias are native to East Asia and the Himalayas, eastern North America and Central America. They grow 40 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 30 to 40 feet. Depending upon the species, magnolias may be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous. Some of the deciduous types that are found in the temperate zones of North America bloom in early spring before the tree leafs out – the type many of us in the Northeast are familiar with. There are so many images of magnolias that it was difficult to pick just five for this column. Hopefully the photos illustrate the beauty and artistic potential of this majestic harbinger of spring. To learn about growing and caring for magnolias, click here.