Magnolias. Few locals recall the headlines when, in the winter of 1940, a cup-and-saucer magnolia tree in Golden Gate Park became the first to flower in the U.S. Visitors came in droves to gaze at the fleshy blooms and catch the exotic scent. The magnolia tree still stands and has since been joined by almost 100 extraordinary close relatives, making ours the largest such collection outside of China. If you haven't seen them bloom, it is really worth your time. And, if you have children, this is a fantastic teaching moment. As one of the oldest flowering plants, magnolias predate even bees. They are pollinated by beetles and first shared breath with dinosaurs. Blooms and Branches, this month's children's story time, offers Another Tree in the Yard, a tale of family expansion told from the perspective of a magnolia tree. After the books, kids 4-8 years old are invited on a special docent-led tour of the garden.
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