The O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden has one of the largest collection of magnolias in Ukraine. More than 70 taxa of Magnolia are grown here, including species, hybrids and varieties. Some trees date back to the 1930s.

The cultivation of Magnolia in the Botanical Garden began in 1905, and the foundation of this magnolias collection took place in 1976, when some reproductive trees were planted. The area of the magnolia garden is about 2 hectares, it is one of the key exhibition areas of the public park of the Botanical Garden. The Magnolia collection has not only aesthetic, but also scientific and research value. To maintain and develop the collection, methods of vegetative and seed propagation are used. 

The Magnolia garden is located in the central part of the public park, in a lowland that is a valley between the hills, through which an alley stretches, on both sides of which are planted magnolia trees. The alley is bending, thanks what a panoramic view of the trees opens from the sidewalk. Every year, huge queues of people, who want to take pictures and enjoy the beauty, are here.

The genus Magnolia (family Magnoliaceae) includes both deciduous and evergreen species. As a rule, full flowering of magnolias in a botanical garden occurs from late April to mid-May. The flowering period lasts about 2–3 weeks and some species may bloom again. The floral phenological cycle of magnolias is strongly dependent on temperature conditions: budding begins at approximately +10 °C and flowering only at +15 °C. Temperature fluctuations, frosts or prolonged rains can affect bud formation, flowering duration and even re-flowering. For successful cultivation of magnolias in an urban environment, the following conditions must be done: sufficient lighting, moderate soil moisture and consideration of the habitus of the adult tree.

Magnolia is considered a “living fossil” — an evolutionarily ancient genus. Their presence in the Botanical Garden makes it possible to study relict features and evolutionary morphology. The collection presents both classic species and ornamental hybrids and varieties. Magnolia kobus (Kobus magnolia),  Magnolia × loebneri (Loebner magnolia), Magnolia soulangeana (saucer magnolia) and their varieties bloom here. In the scientific collections zone there are also quite a few rare species — Magnolia stellata (star magnolia), Magnolia cylindrica (Huangshan magnolia), Magnolia denudata (Yulan magnolia), Magnolia obovata (Japanese cocumber tree), etc. Below are some of the most typical examples.

Magnolia kobus (Kobus magnolia) is a deciduous tree of Japanese origin, which is distinguished by high frost resistance and good adaptation to the climatic conditions of Eastern Europe. In its natural environment, the tree reaches 10–15 m in height, but in the conditions of the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden it usually forms a tree 6–10 meters high, which is associated with the temperate continental climate and growth restrictions due to the urban environment. The flowers appear very early, even before the leaves bloom. They are single, white or cream, with 6–9 wide petals and a diameter of about 8–10 cm. Flowers are able to withstand short-term drops in temperature to –3 °C. The leaves are ovate, dark green in summer and yellow in autumn, reaching a length of 8–15 cm. The root system is superficial and sensitive to soil compaction. This magnolia is used as a rootstock for less frost-resistant varieties, as well as a "parent" element in the creation of hybrids.

Magnolia stellata (star magnolia) is one of the earliest species, native to Japan. It is a low-growing deciduous shrub or tree, with a traditional height of 2–3 m. Its flowers are the most significant feature: they consist of a large number of narrow petals, which separately have a distinct star-shaped shape. The diameter of the flower is 7 10 cm, the color is mainly white or cream. Flowering occurs in mid-late April, often earlier than all other magnolias. Despite the early phenological phase, this species is quite sensitive to sudden cold, so somethimes parts of the buds are damaged by frost. The leaves are elliptical, 5–10 cm long. Star magnolia reproduces well vegetatively: by cuttings and layering, which makes it valuable for landscaping.

Magnolia × soulangeana (saucer magnolia) is an artificial hybrid obtained in the 19th century by crossing Magnolia liliiflora and Magnolia denudata. It was bred in France by a former diplomat of the French army, Etienne Soulange-Bodin, who, after the defeat at Waterloo in 1815, left the service, organized and headed the Royal Horticultural Institute, where he created this hybrid. It is one of the most popular ornamental taxa in world, represented by numerous varieties. In the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden, Magnolia × soulangeana forms multi-trunk trees 4–6 meters high. The flowers are large, 10–20 cm in diameter, goblet-shaped or tulip-shaped. Their color varies from white-pink to rich purple, depending on the variety. Flowering occurs before the leaves appear, in late April-early May, but this species is more sensitive to cold than M. kobus, as its more delicate flowers may lose their beauty after a decrease in temperature. The leaves are wide, up to 15 cm, with a wavy edge. In botanical practice, it is mainly propagated by grafting onto frost resistant rootstocks, most often onto Magnolia kobus, which provides better adaptation to adverse conditions. This hybrid is often the central element of spring garden displays, due to its high ornamental value.

Magnolia obovata (Japanese cocumber tree) is a large deciduous tree native to Japan and Manchuria, which impresses with its unusually large leaves. In natural conditions, the tree can reach a height of 15–20 meters. The leaves are one of the most distinctive features of this species: large, obovate, 30–40 cm long, sometimes up to 50 cm, which gives the plant a tropical appearance. The flowers are creamy white, large, up to 15 cm in diameter, bloom after the leaves have fully formed, which makes them more resistant to spring frosts. Flowering lasts the longest among deciduous magnolias — from 25 to 30 days. Magnolia obovata tolerates urban conditions, in particular air pollution and demonstrates high ecological plasticity. In nature, it plays an important role as a food source for several groups of insects, including pollinating beetles and butterflies. In urban environments, its flowers are actively visited by bees and bumblebees, although it is evolutionarily adapted specifically to pollination by beetles — a typical sign of relict origin.

Magnolia liliiflora (lily magnolia) is a deciduous shrub or small tree of Chinese origin, which is distinguished by the rich purple color of the outer side of the petals. On average, the plant reaches 2–5 meters in height. The flowers are formed before the appearance of the leaves or simultaneously with them, have a characteristic “lily-shaped” shape and consist of 6–9 fleshy petals. The diameter of the flower is 7–12 cm. Flowering occurs later than in M. kobus or M. stellata, which allows it to avoid frost damage. In warm years it can bloom again in late summer or early autumn. The leaves are elliptical, medium-sized, dark green. Magnolia × soulangeana is often used for breeding and creating ornamental varieties with a rich purple color. In the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden, M. liliiflora is represented both as an independent species and as a component of hybrids, which allows comparing the biological features of pure species and their derived forms.

The Magnolia garden in the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden is not just a spectacular exhibition, but a large-scale scientific collection that plays an important role in the preservation, study and popularization of the magnolias. This place is a living example of how relict flora can be preserved and harmoniously integrated into urban space.