Lorna Howell walks past a huge blooming magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens in Devon. See SWNS story SWPLmagnolia. These stunning pictures show Britain's biggest magnolia tree which achieved its biggest bloom - thanks to a mild Spring. The Magnolia campbellii has the largest spread of any of its kind in the country - and last produced flowers in 2017. Located in Lukesland Gardens in Devon it is not the tallest magnolia in Britain - but is the widest. It was last measured five years ago and had a spread of 28 metres - but the garden's owners the Howells say it is now even bigger.
magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens in Devon (James Dadzitis / SWNS)

The Magnolia campbellii has the largest spread of any of its kind in the country - and last produced flowers in 2017.

Located in Lukesland Gardens in Devon it is not the tallest magnolia in Britain - but is the widest.

It was last measured five years ago and had a spread of 28 metres - but the gardens' owners the Howells say it is now even bigger.

Lorna Howell says the 86-year-old tree has bloomed after so long being "frosted" thanks to the mild spring.

Cold frosts have stunted the tree’s blossoming over the past five years - but six months of mild and wet weather has transformed its fortunes.

Lorna Howell walks past a huge blooming magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens in Devon. See SWNS story SWPLmagnolia. These stunning pictures show Britain's biggest magnolia tree which achieved its biggest bloom - thanks to a mild Spring. The Magnolia campbellii has the largest spread of any of its kind in the country - and last produced flowers in 2017. Located in Lukesland Gardens in Devon it is not the tallest magnolia in Britain - but is the widest. It was last measured five years ago and had a spread of 28 metres - but the garden's owners the Howells say it is now even bigger.
magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens (James Dadzitis / SWNS)

Lorna described the tree as "a massive pink cloud in full flourish''.

She said: "It has been quite a mild spring and lots of things are coming out in the garden now - the camellia's and daffodils have been out pretty early too.

"The magnolia is also planted right by the stream that runs through the garden, so it has very good and strong roots that can apparently withstand all these storms.

"The tree also has the space to grow outwards because there is nothing in its path - it has even been spreading into neighbouring Rhododendron bushes - a truly incredible and very happy tree."

The national tree register, who measure trees' height, girth and ages and compare their status across the country, came to assess this magnolia seven years ago.

Lorna Howell walks past a huge blooming magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens in Devon. See SWNS story SWPLmagnolia. These stunning pictures show Britain's biggest magnolia tree which achieved its biggest bloom - thanks to a mild Spring. The Magnolia campbellii has the largest spread of any of its kind in the country - and last produced flowers in 2017. Located in Lukesland Gardens in Devon it is not the tallest magnolia in Britain - but is the widest. It was last measured five years ago and had a spread of 28 metres - but the garden's owners the Howells say it is now even bigger.
Lorna Howell walks past a huge blooming magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens in Devon (James Dadzitis / SWNS)

Back in 2015, the tree was measured at a height of 20metres, a trunk girth of 1.7 metres and a spread of 28 metres.

But Lorna said the tree has grown at an "amazing rate" and predicts it it at least several metres bigger now.

Lorna confessed that the couple have been watching the tree "nervously" since the beginning of January.

She said: "The buds that magnolias produce are very big and fleshy and always look quite big by December time, but if they get really badly frosted they go brown and then drop to the ground.

"It's such a sad sight and leaves it looking like a tea-bag tree.

"We kept wondering if it was going to make it but it looked good for the last week and we have been getting very excited."

The tree was planted in 1936 by Mr Howell's grandfather, who was a Canadian forester who came over to the UK during World War One, married an English woman and together "planted lots of lovely trees".

Lorna said: "It gives you a bit of hope amongst all this darkness. Nature is doing her own thing and it cheers you up a bit.

"We have our first opening this Sunday 13 March which is just amazing and usually this tree doesn't come into flower whenever we open to the public, so it's very convenient and has flowered at the perfect time."

Lorna Howell walks past a huge blooming magnolia at the Lukesland Gardens in Devon. See SWNS story SWPLmagnolia. These stunning pictures show Britain's biggest magnolia tree which achieved its biggest bloom - thanks to a mild Spring. The Magnolia campbellii has the largest spread of any of its kind in the country - and last produced flowers in 2017. Located in Lukesland Gardens in Devon it is not the tallest magnolia in Britain - but is the widest. It was last measured five years ago and had a spread of 28 metres - but the garden's owners the Howells say it is now even bigger.
Huge magnolia at Lukesland Gardens in Devon (James Dadzitis / SWNS)

You can visit the magnificent magnolia at Lukesland gardens: https://www.lukesland.co.uk/