This spring flowering species is displaying flamboyant blooms in the Magnolia collection.
The flowers of the genus Magnolia announce the arrival of spring. This plant is no exception, producing a mass of open, saucer-shaped blooms of a rose pink colour, which burst from plump, downy buds typical of the genus. As with the majority of Magnolia, ‘Diva’ produces flowers before its obovate leaves emerge. Also referred to as Magnolia sprengeri var. diva, this variety has been grown in the UK since it was collected by Ernest Wilson for the Veitch Nursery in 1900, though it was first seen in the wild by Augustine Henry. The first plant of this variety was grown by JC Williams at Caehrays Castle in Cornwall, and all plants now grown in the UK descend from this single tree. Wilson noted that this tree grew in moist woods and thickets of eastern China. It is highly deserving of the common name ‘Goddess Diva’.