The Bigger Picture: Our Magnificent Magnolia

Three weeks stand between today and the official end of winter but don’t tell that to UVA’s treasured Yulan Magnolia. Standing modestly among much taller sycamores in the Rotunda’s shadow, the magnolia this week went full peacock mode earlier than usual. Estimated to be around 100 years old, the tree magnificently displays a canopy of delicate white flowers that emerge like fireworks even before the leaves show up to celebrate.