The Magnolias at Caerhays Castle

Author Biography

Charles Williams is the owner and custodian of the historic Caerhays Estate in Cornwall and the senior partner of Burncoose Nurseries, one of the UK’s leading specialist plant nurseries. Under his stewardship, Caerhays is home to a renowned Plant Heritage National Collection of Magnolias. His great-grandfather, J.C. Williams, famously bred the original x williamsii strain of camellias in the 1920s—plants that went on to transform camellia cultivation around the world. Today, Charles continues this legacy of botanical innovation and passion. A long-standing member of the RHS Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia Group, Williams has introduced and championed numerous new magnolias, rhododendrons, and camellias for registration and awards. His work brings together practical expertise, historical knowledge, and a lifelong commitment to conserving and advancing some of the world’s most charismatic ornamental plants. In this book, he shares his deep experience and enduring enthusiasm for magnolias, offering readers an insider’s view of their cultivation, history, and unrivalled beauty.