'Pink explosion' as magnolias bloom weeks early
BBCA combination of factors is believed to have caused magnolias to bloom weeks early in the South West.
At Lukesland Gardens, near Ivybridge on the edge of Dartmoor, a 90-year-old magnolia tree has had a "pink explosion" .
The owners said the 65ft (20m) tall tree may have bloomed early due to the recent wet weather.
John Howell said it was planted in the 1930s by his grandfather, adding: "It's been here beside the little stream for all that time."
Dave Bouch, head gardener at Buckland Abbey near Yelverton, Devon, previously said a magnolia x soulangeana – one of various veteran magnolias in the grounds – had been producing its blooms four weeks earlier than usual.
Above average temperatures were likely to be behind the surprise displays, he said.
Speaking about the Lukesland Gardens magnolia, John Howell said: "It comes from the Himalayas, so it's completely non-native to Britain but it obviously just loves this habitat on the edge of Dartmoor."
Co-owner Lorna Howell added: "Partly why it's so extraordinary is because everything else looks fairly dead and wintery, then you've got this amazing pink explosion in the middle of the garden."
Caerhays EstateIn St Austell, Cornwall, Caerhays Castle said its magnolias were looking "magnificent".
Staff said the best time to see the trees was from March to mid-April.
