Connoisseur Trees

Behind the vast collection of Rhododendrons, Camellias and Magnolias is a collection of trees and shrubs that are lesser known, generally difficult to grow and not readily available in commerce. Examples within the Exbury collection include the evergreen Magnolia insignis  (syn. Mangletia insignis) - the red lotus is rare in cultivation. The pink lotus-like flowers appear in early summer. Fokienia hodginsii is a very unusual slow growing conifer from southeastern China to Northern Vietnam. The Chilean Laurel Laurelia sempervirens) is an interesting large evergreen tree with very scented leaves and small cup-shaped flowers in early spring. The specimens at Exbury were introduced by the plant hunter Harold Comber who travelled extensively in the southern hemisphere during the 1920’s.