I have operated a small specialty plant nursery from our farm for many years, but this year am thrilled to be taking a sabbatical from that occupation, which means I get to look around and get a proper taste of spring. Earlier in the month we travelled to Vancouver for a look at the spring flowers there, and I fell head over heels in love with the many magnolias which rivalled the lovely cherry blossoms which were our initial and “official” quest.
I’d never seen these before in their full glory, as we are ourselves much too far north (being situated close to the centre of the province) for magnolia trees to survive, let alone thrive as those on the coast obviously do.
Too lovely not to share, so here are a few I captured with my camera. Much more spectacular in real life, by the way, as those of you in milder climes will no doubt already know.
Happy Spring!
Leaves & Pages 
Gorgeous! I’m interested that Canada apparently calls them “magnolias” like England does. Your kind are what I’ve always called Japanese magnolias. Magnolias in Louisiana are these big sprawling messes of flowers, and the trees are evergreen. They’re both really beautiful flowers though.
Goodness! The magnolias of Vancouver are far lovelier, in their drooping swooping pink and white beauty, than those I know, in New York and California! These do look like a different, more delicate species.
We did see some evergreen magnolias as well, but they apparently bloom later in the season. These particular species (and there are many represented, especially in the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden) are deciduous, and all produce blooms before foliage – an astounding effect, as you can see from the photos!
Absolutely fascinating flower structure, too. Though we didn’t notice much fragrance, and I see that the “southern” magnolias are reported to be highly fragrant. (And huge and messy, lol – those descriptions popped up a lot when I looked up the evergreen Southern Magnolia (grandiflora?) which both of you mention.)
The magnolias are gorgeous and just like the ones which grow in Scotland, although I think yours have more flowers. I hadn’t heard of the evergreen ones, I suppose they wouldn’t cope with our cold winters.
Beautiful! Magnolias are my favourite thing about spring, I think – sad that such a dull paint colour is named after such a beautiful tree!