Take a tour of Back Bay’s magnolia trees

Get the most out of spring in Boston with The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s self-guided magnolia tree tour.

A magnolia tree with white blossoms outside a Boston home.

Poll: Should Marlborough Street be renamed Magnolia Street in the spring?

Photo by BOStoday

Love spotting our city’s blooming magnolia trees? What if we told you there are 14 trees to pay attention to in particular — and that you can spot them all on a walking tour?

The Garden Club of the Back Bay’s 2023 Self-Guided Magnolia Tour will guide you to magnolias in Back Bay with historical significance. Starting from the corner of Arlington Street + Commonwealth Avenue and ending on Clarendon Street, the tour provides context and little-known facts about the trees you’ll see. One example: you’ll stop by the house where poet Robert Lowell once lived and learn about the magnolia outside (that may have even inspired one of his poems).

You’ll also see a breadth of magnolia species, from the Moonglow Magnolia (a tree great at withstanding cold temperatures with lemon-scented blossoms) to the Star Magnolia (a small tree with white, star-shaped blooms).

The tour is free — though donations are encouraged — and available to download through Wednesday, May 3.

Bonus: Check out our map to see exactly where you’ll be walking.