Pictures: One of UK’s largest magnolia trees flowers early at Dartmoor site

One of the UK’s largest magnolia trees has burst into bloom weeks ahead of schedule, prompting an early opening at a popular South Devon garden.

The spectacular tree at Lukesland Gardens near Ivybridge, believed to have the widest spread of any magnolia in the country, is already covered in pink blossoms following an unusually mild, wet winter.

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Owners took the decision to open the gardens a week earlier than planned, so visitors would not miss the display.

Lona Howell said the early spring conditions had produced an exceptional show across the grounds.

“We are definitely having an early Spring,” she said. “We were due to open this coming Sunday 15th March, but decided to open on 8th March because our huge magnolia was looking so good.”

She added that the weather had encouraged many plants to flower ahead of schedule.

“We are sure that the mild, wet winter has suited the magnolia and other early Spring trees and shrubs, which are all flowering profusely this year.”

Despite its size, the magnolia’s blooms are fragile and their lifespan depends heavily on the weather.

“People love to see the magnolia, but it is very delicate,” Lona explained. “In calm, mild weather the blooms can last for several weeks, but March is often windy and there can be frosts, so it's hard to say how long it will keep its petals.”

Even when the flowers fall, the tree continues to impress, making a ‘pink carpet on the ground’.

“The tree itself is a beautiful structure, with many ferns and mosses now making their home on its strong, wide branches.”

The magnificent tree has been around since the 1930s and has grown into one of the garden’s defining features.

“Our Magnolia campbellii was planted in 1936 by my husband's grandfather, Howard Howell,” Lona said.

She explained that he had come to Britain during the First World War as part of the Canadian Forestry Corps before settling in Devon.

“He met and married Muriel Howell and they moved to Lukesland in 1932. They planted many of the fine specimen trees that are now Lukesland's pride and joy today, including the magnolia, which has the biggest spread in the country.”

The mild winter has triggered widespread early flowering beyond the magnolia itself.

Towering Victorian arboretum rhododendrons, normally expected to bloom in early April, are already showing colour more than two weeks early. 

Camellias and large-leaved rhododendrons are also flourishing, while primroses are emerging in abundance.

Lona said signs are promising for later displays too, with bluebells expected to put on a strong show in late April and early May.

Lukesland Gardens is open on Sundays, Wednesdays and Bank Holidays until 7 June, with the early start expected to deliver a particularly colourful spring season.

The gardens are known for their collection of mature specimen trees and extensive spring flowering displays, attracting visitors from across Devon and beyond each year.