Plant Journeys blog #1 – Magnolia’s jade-like lustre 

The ongoing exhibition at Broughton House, Plant Journeys, includes an impressive array of Japanese objects that were inspired by plants. These objects were collected by Edward Atkinson Hornel, a renowned ‘Glasgow Boy’, during his visits to Japan in 1894–5 and the 1920s. Dr. Minna Törmä, a dedicated researcher, delves into the world of these plants, examining them season by season. Through her exploration, she sheds light on the history of their introduction into Europe, their cultural significance in Eastern societies and the unique qualities that make each plant truly extraordinary.

Magnolia’s name pays tribute to Pierre Magnol, a physician and botanist who held the prestigious positions of Chair of Botany and Director of the Botanic Garden of Montpellier in 1694. Among the various magnolia species, Magnolia x soulangeana, which Hornel planted in his garden, is widely recognised and extensively cultivated. Alongside M. stellata, it is considered one of the most popular magnolias. M. x soulangeana is a hybrid of Magnolia denudata and M. liliflora, and was created around 1827 by Chevalier Etienne Soulange-Bodin, a former French cavalry officer.

Magnolia, a diverse genus, can be found in various locations across the world. Asian magnolias reached Great Britain later than their North American counterparts. The first temperate Asiatic species, Magnolia denudata (also known as the Chinese yulan or lily tree), was introduced by Sir Joseph Banks in 1780. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that it became commonly grown in European gardens. The credit for introducing M. liliflora (the purple magnolia or woody orchid) in 1790 goes to the third Duke of Portland, who discovered it cultivated in Japan. Similar to M. denudata, it had been growing in China for centuries. M. denudata has likely been cultivated in China since the 7th century. On the other hand, M. stellata is native to Japan and thrives in the mountains of southern Honshu.