Magnolias and Rhododendrons

The magnolias and rhododendrons have been magnificent this year. The first to bloom was the M. Stellata Alba. Even in the dark of evening the flowers seem to shine out and look outstanding when picked out by moonlight. This was quickly followed by M. Leonard Messel, another stellata, with an obviously star-shaped flower again, but in a beautiful mid-pink as they opened, fading to almost white, which made the tree very attractive as flowers of varying shades of pink covered it. While these two were still in bloom, M. Susan flowered, larger with a deep maroon on the outside of the petals and a much paler inside, All three were outclassed when M. Soulangeana was soon in full bloom. Despite being heavily pruned from time to time, this tree never disappoints. It is breathtaking and has thousands of cup-shaped pink flowers, with every petal fading from deep, deep pink at the base to pale pink at the tip. Last, but definitely not least, is M. Ricki. It looks like a M.Stellata, but like M. Susan has much larger flowers. M. Ricki is a very attractive magnolia, each petal shading from a reddish-purple at the base to palest pink at the tip.