Magnolia blooms for THIRD time this year

2:00pm Saturday 18th August 2007

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A STUNNING pink magnolia Apollo is now flowering for the third time in the past year as climate change and unpredictable seasons confuse the popular garden plant.

It should blossom just once a year in spring but the head gardener at Exbury Gardens in the New Forest believes his prized Apollo may even flower a fourth time before the year is out.

John Anderson, 47, said: "I have been a head gardener for 25 years and have never seen a plant like this flower three times in a year.

"Ten years ago it would have flowered just once a year, then it became twice - now there is the very real possibility that it will become four.

"The New Zealand-bred hybrid bloomed a week ago at the gardens and should remain open for another week, depending on the weather.It previously blossomed in late November last year and this April.

A flower in the first half of November would take the tally to four.

John said: "Some magnolia only flower in autumn but this is definitely a spring-flower variety.

"People are amazed when they see it and it leads to the inevitable question of climate change.

"I'm not a scientist and can't comment on the theory but I have seen for myself how the seasons are changing and the past year has been a particularly unusual one.

"We had a wet but mild autumn and winter, a hot spring and now a wet summer - it is not surprising nature is confused.

"We will record the fact the Apollo has flowered three times this year and keep a check on how things change in years to come.

"It will be interesting to see if this becomes a trend.'' "The magnolia Apollo can be found in thousands of gardens.''