Magnolias
- Spectacular Spring flowers
- Most with a heavenly fragrance
- From neat shrubs to impressive trees
- Includes attractive native species
- Large range of different types
Local Advice for Local Gardeners
These popular deciduous shrubs and small to medium-sized trees provide a spectacular flowering display that can perfume the Spring air. The flowers may be shaped like large creamy, pink or even yellow goblets, or smaller and starry, and often opening before the leaves, are shown off to perfection. The large, exotic flowers of many varieties are truly impressive; when the flowers are smaller they are often produced with great profusion, while native species with their quieter display are valued by wildlife. The bold leaves are an interesting feature in themselves, turning yellow in Fall in some species, while many carry unusual pink or red autumn fruits.
Magnolias like
- Soil - Happiest in acid or neutral, fertile, humus rich soil. Some, like M. kobus, M. x loebneri, and the very adaptable M. stellata, will take more alkaline conditions
- Light - Best in full sun or partial shade
- Moisture - Prefer moist but well drained conditions; all except M. virginiana hate being waterlogged
- Remember to plant in a site sheltered from the early morning sun, which can damage blooms on frosty mornings – the west side of the house is ideal
Where to grow magnolias
- Lawn trees - Mature plants of the larger shrubs make fine lawn specimens, but may take many years to make a dramatic impact
- Specimens - Large varieties make fine specimens if space is available to view them from a distance; more compact varieties can be equally dramatic where space is limited
- In borders - Shrubs are excellent in mixed borders, with smaller trees at the back
- Planters - Forms of the star magnolia, M. stellata, make superb specimens in large planters with spring bulbs.
- Native gardens - Native species are ideal medium-sized trees for native plant and wildlife gardens
- Bonsai - Star magnolia, M. stellata, can be grown as a bonsai though may take many years to flower.
Seasonal care
- No regular pruning is needed; never trim the tips of the branches
- Spring - Planting time. Mulch to help conserve soil moisture. Cover smaller specimens in flower if a sudden fierce frost is forecast. Fertilize with a rose fertilizer such as Dr. Earth.
- Summer - Cut out crowded, misshapen or dead branches if necessary
- Fall - Ideal planting time. Trim off low branches if they are brushing the lawn
Terrain’s Top Magnolias
- M. x soulangiana ‘Rustica Rubra’
- M. stellata ‘Centennial’*
- M. sieboldii
- ‘Waterlily’
- ‘Elizabeth’*
- ‘Daybreak’*
- ‘Galaxy’*
- ‘Serenade’
Look for these locally native tree species
M. acuminata (Yellow Cucumbertree), M. tripetala (Umbrella Tree) and M. virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) with its hardier variety Moonglow™*
* Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plants (www.goldmedalplants.org)
Did you know… There are also evergreen magnolias which are borderline hardy in our area? Why not try the white-flowered M. grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’* and ‘Edith Bogue’*
Written by Graham Rice