Saucer Magnolias Watch Update: February 25, 2023

The saucer magnolias at the Enid A. Haupt Garden are starting to bloom. They're not in full bloom yet, but there are plenty of flowers opening. The ones at the George Mason Memorial are just a little behind them.

The warm temperatures for the past few days (and for the winter more generally, for that matter) have moved things along for an early bloom. They've made quite a bit of progress even in just the past few days. Now that we're back to cooler temperatures, the pace will slow a little.

How They're Looking This Morning

These were all taken this morning.

Enid A. Haupt Garden

George Mason Memorial

Where to Find Them

If you haven't been to the Enid A. Haupt Garden before, it's right behind the Smithsonian Castle (or, as my kids call it, Hogwarts). It is a gated garden and closes at night but opens early in the morning.

There are several sections to the garden, including the Moongate Garden. The magnolias are throughout–you can't miss them.

Things Worth Knowing

• Saucer magnolias are also often known as tulip magnolias. Magnolia x soulangeana, if you want to get technical.
• They typically come out around a couple of weeks before the famous Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.
• You can find saucer magnolias all over the region. Three notable locations within easy walking distance of the Tidal Basin are the Enid A. Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall, the George Mason Memorial (near the Jefferson Memorial), and Rawlins Park.
• You can see an example of them in full bloom here.