After a winter of wild weather across Cornwall, Caerhays is preparing to welcome visitors back for the 2026 season with a remarkable piece of good news: not a single magnolia tree in the Gardens was felled by Storm Goretti.
Magnolia blossom at Caerhays Spring Gardens is the annual signpost for the beginning of spring in Cornwall.
For a garden internationally renowned for its historic magnolia collection, this is no small thing. Caerhays is home to one of the finest collections of magnolias in the UK, with many rare and early-flowering varieties that have been growing in the sheltered Cornish valley for well over a century. As the first buds begin to open, the gardens are once again becoming a living calendar of spring’s arrival in Cornwall.
The magnolias of Cornwall have long been seen as a folkloric marker of the changing season. This year, the sight of magnolia flowers unfurling at Caerhays carries with it a feeling of resilience and renewal. While storms and extreme weather are an increasing reality for gardens everywhere, these ancient trees have quietly endured, ready to perform their annual display once more.
Head Gardener Jaimie Parsons reflects on the moment the team realised the magnolias had escaped unscathed:
“After the storm passed, our first concern was for the magnolias. They are such an important part of Caerhays’ identity. To walk the valley and see that every single tree had come through felt incredibly uplifting, like the garden itself was reminding us that spring will always return.”
As visitors explore the winding woodland paths this season, they’ll encounter magnolia blooms in soft creams, blush pinks and deep fuchsia tones, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Caerhays valley and the Cornish coast. The magnolia display is just the beginning of what unfolds across the garden in early spring, with camellias, rhododendrons and a wealth of woodland plants following close behind.
A visitor strolls amongst the trees in blossom at Caerhays Spring Gardens.
Owner and Curator Charles Williams sees the magnolias as part of a much longer story of continuity at Caerhays:
“Many of these magnolia trees were planted by previous generations, and they have stood through decades of change. To see them coming into flower again this spring is a reminder that Caerhays is not just a garden for today, but a living landscape shaped over centuries.”
Visitors planning a spring day out can find opening dates, times and accessibility details here. Tickets can be booked in advance to guarantee entry during peak flowering weeks, when the magnolias are at their most spectacular.
For those who enjoy following the unfolding story of the garden through the seasons, our Garden Diary offers regular updates from Charles, with insights into what’s flowering, what’s being planted, and how the garden is evolving week by week. And for visitors wishing to linger a little longer in this special corner of Cornwall, our on-site accommodation provides a rare opportunity to wake up to the sights and sounds of the gardens in spring.
As the magnolias begin to bloom once more, Caerhays Spring Gardens stands as a gentle symbol of resilience, renewal and the enduring rhythms of nature. Spring is arriving, magnificent as ever.
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Magnolia Season FAQs
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When do magnolias bloom in Cornwall?
Magnolias are among the earliest spring flowers in Cornwall, often beginning to bloom from late winter into early spring, depending on the weather.
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Why is Cornwall good for magnolias?
Cornwall’s mild, coastal climate helps magnolias thrive, allowing many varieties to flower earlier here than in much of the UK.
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Where can you see magnolias in spring in Cornwall?
If you visit the Great Gardens of Cornwall you can find some of the finest historic collections found in sheltered woodland gardens such as Caerhays Spring Gardens.