Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Magnolia Plaza
Early spring is fragrant in this formal garden. Magnolia trees are among the earliest flowering plants—their fossils date back to 145 million years ago.
The Administration Building, which opened in 1917 as a laboratory building, is considered a masterpiece of the architecture firm McKim, Mead & White. The names of 68 plant scientists can be found along the exterior frieze, including those of Darwin and Linnaeus.
🔎 Find 'Elizabeth'.
The Garden's Magnolia 'Elizabeth is world famous—this cultivar, bred by scientist Evamaria Sperber in the 1950s, was one of the first yellow magnolias. This is one of eight hybrids developed by the Garden.
⏰ Tell time.
Installed in 1933, the armillary sphere displays the signs of the zodiac and also acts as a sundial.
• Look for fuzzy buds.
Magnolias that flower in spring produce their buds in the fall; the furry outer scales protect them through the winter.
🚶Take a self-guided tour.
Some of the highlights of our magnolia collection are labeled here.
Erected by Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry
this page online
Location. 40° 40.051′ N, 73° 57.772′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. It is in Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Marker can be reached from Flatbush Avenue north of Empire Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 455 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn NY 11238, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Magnolia × brooklynensis (here, next to this marker); Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Magnolia × brooklynensis (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Magnolia × brooklynensis (a few steps from this marker); Magnolia 'Marillyn' (a few steps from this marker); Magnolias at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Magnolia 'Judy Zuk' (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Magnolia × brooklynensis (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
