I found this photo in our archives. On the back it reads: “Planting of Magnolia Iolanthe on Monday 25/7/88 in New George Street, Plymouth, England by New Plymouth, NZ Soroptimist Carolyn Lean and Plymouth and District Soroptimist President – Ida Miles.”

Iolanthe is of course the first flagship Jury magnolia. Are there any readers in Plymouth UK who know if it is still growing? I am pretty sure that is the New Zealand Soroptimist doing the digging. I recall meeting her once.

The original Magnolia Iolanthe in our garden here last spring