Magnolias are among the earliest trees to bloom, their soft petals appearing before the leaves and signalling the slow shift into spring. With fossil records dating back nearly 100 million years, they are considered one of the oldest flowering plants, evolving before bee pollination became widespread and relying instead on beetles.
Across cultures, magnolias have come to symbolise endurance and beauty. In the UK and across Europe, magnolia season typically peaks from late March to early April, when their luminous blooms transform streets and gardens for just a few weeks. Here are four photographs from recent seasons that capture their lovely, fleeting presence.
Magnolias in Bloom Across Oxford Colleges by @umairatoxford
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Magnolia in the City by @luke_through_my_lens
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Berlin Magnolias by @______theo
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Magnolia Season in Paris by @thetravelfolk
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