Star Magnolia ( Magnolia stellata )

We needed a few things from the cash and carry for the Lodge, it is so near the Houghton Hall Garden Centre it seemed obvious to combine the visits.  It is amazing the difference a few short weeks makes, back then there was barely a single spot of colour, today the whole place was awash with colour.  Shrubs such as Camelia and the various Magnolia flowering, Pansies and Primula everywhere etc.

The difference in the size of the Stellata flowers was amazing, this one about 3cm across the larger ones almost 15cm across.   Stellata is a species native to Japan, whereas the other common Magnolia, soulangiana is a hybrid