Mùlán (木蘭):
The Magnolia Festival
March 20 – April 26, 2026
Mulan is more than the heroine of a Disney movie. In Chinese, mùlán (木蘭) is magnolia—a flower celebrated for its feminine beauty and strength, known for elegance with quiet courage.
This spring, let magnolias steal the spotlight at Mùlán (木蘭): The Magnolia Festival at Lan Su. Wander through breathtaking floral installations by our horticulture team and featured floral artist Lauren Say, uncover magnolia’s symbolism in Chinese art and literature, and enjoy a season-long mix of guided walks and hands-on activities for all ages.
See the full lineup below!
Ways to Explore
All actvities are free with membership or admission unless otherwise noted.
Magnolia Floral Showcase
March 20–30 | 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM* | Free with admission or membership
*Garden closes at 4:30 PM on March 20
Enjoy large-scale magnolia installations throughout the garden by Lan Su’s horticulture team and guest floral artist Lauren Say. Plus, explore interpretive displays with educational posters, huayi floral pieces, and a magnolia penjing.
Magnolia Walk in the Garden
Sundays, March 22 & 29; April 5 & 12 | 2-3 PM | Free with admission or membership
Join a Lan Su gardener for a guided stroll through the garden, exploring beautiful magnolia varieties and their history, symbolism, and botanical features. The walk includes a look at Fengchun (鳳春 “Phoenix of Spring”), a magnolia tree chosen by Lan Su’s original Suzhou landscape architect, He Fengchun, when the garden first opened.
Magnolia Coloring Activity
Fridays & Sundays, March 20 – April 26 | 12-4 PM | Free with admission or membership
Enjoy a drop-in, family-friendly craft activity inspired by magnolia. Enjoy at your own pace and take a unique piece of art home with you!
Floral Artist Meet & Greet / Demo
Saturdays, March 21 & 28 | 2-3 PM | Free with admission or membership
Watch floral artistry in action and learn from our partnering artist, Lauren Say.
Magnolia Cultivation Talks
Saturdays, April 11 & 18 | 2-3 PM | Free with admission or membership
Hear from a Lan Su horticulturist how to best cultivate magnolias in the landscape. Get an insider perspective on our favorite specimens and learn how to maintain them for health and beauty for years to come.
Steep & Paint: Magnolia
Fridays, April 10 & 24 | 4-6 PM | Separate tickets required, includes admission
Our popular Steep & Paint workshop series returns this year in partnership with the Oregon Botanical Artists, and we’re kicking things off with special magnolia-themed session.
Space is very limited, so reserve your spot now!