Ode to the Magnolia Grandiflora

In our garden in the south of the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands, the Magnolia Grandiflora performs its quiet annual renewal each spring. From March through June, old leaves gradually make way for the new, transforming in the process into living works of art.

Each fallen leaf tells its own story; a rich palette of deep emerald greens fading into luminous golds, warm ambers, rich burgundies, fiery oranges, and dramatic near-blacks. Delicate speckles, bold streaks, intricate mottling, and soft marbling appear as the seasons turn. Even the weathered, torn, or imperfect leaves possess a unique, quiet beauty of their own. What many might overlook as garden debris, we celebrate as nature’s subtle abstract art: fleeting, diverse, and profoundly poetic. This gallery captures the remarkable richness and artistry found in the fallen leaves of our Magnolia trees. Each one a singular masterpiece, coming directly from our garden.

A celebration of impermanence, renewal, and the hidden beauty in every stage of life, including the very last one.

Advice: View the photos of the leaves at their original size, so you can enjoy the fine texture.