3. March 2007

Magnolias

With the coming warmth in temperatures, spring has arrived for us, and with it those garden aristocrats, the magnolias begin their seasonal bloom.
The magnolias I prefer are the deciduous flowering species and their hybrids. Here you will find star shaped flowers, chalice, tulip, cup and saucer shaped flowers. There are even pendulous flowering sorts which look like white hanging lanterns.
These are a large group of mainly trees, and shrubby forms in the star magnolia group. colors range from whites to pinks, and purples. The newer hybrids feature yellow flowers. Magnolias were once rare treasures only to be found in botanic gardens, or estates since they were uncommon as nursery plants in years past. Now they are at least obtainable, even if you have to wait to search out the latest hybridists efforts. All are worth the attentions of the keen gardener. These plants offer unique appearance and spectacle in the garden landscape. They can grow large with time, but the newer hybrids offer quick flowering and often have large flowers as well.
Star magnolias usually bloom first but depending on site and individual plant, some large flowered sorts may preceed them in bloom.
There are many varieties of star type magnolias. M. stellata is the most common and comes in whites and pinks. More recent productions offer more petals (tepals) and in deeper colors of pinks. M. kobus is a large tree compared to the bushy m. stellata, and also takes many years before commencing bloom. I like M. salicifolia very much, with its anise scented parts and star shaped flowers. The hybrid M. loebneri has also whites and pinks but on a larger shrub to small tree.
The large flowered hybrids are all choice. I have my own personal favorites. White or blush, flushed purple, pink is a common theme among these and often there is profuse flowering as well as large individual floral size. Trees produce flowers from a young age in these hybrid groups. A bonus for those not wanting to wait a period of several to many years as was the usual case with many of the large flowered species. In these, you will find chalice, tulip, or cup and saucer shaped flowers, even goblet shaped.
David Clulow is a spectacular white. It compares in quality just a notch or so above M. denudata, the long standing species by which all whites are compared. Teh gresham hybrids are wonderfully spectacular and many of them are white selections. (Tina Durio, Sayonara, Manchu Fan, Suishoren, Milky Way are some of the ones I especially like)
M. soulangeana hybrids are time tested and many of the Gresham hybrids supercede them, but Lennei, Lennei Alba, Picture, Alba Superba will always hold a high rank among all magnolias.
Hybrids such as Iolanthe, and Atlas offer huge flower size. Apollo(violet purple), and Vulcan(deep ruby red purple) offer incredible flower color.
There are may from which to choose if you can locate them from your finer growers/nurseries.
The current trend of the hybridist is for yellow flowered selections. Butterflies is something like a yellow star shaped form. Others are Sunsplash, Solar Flare, Daybreak, Yellow Bird, Yellow Fever, etc. there will be a growing number in the yellow colored group.
The species and their byrids and selections are very fine and rare. Among these I especially like M. sargentiana robusta 'Blood Moon' is a very large dark purple form. mMany M. campbellii forms and hybrids offer huge flowers with cup and saucer shaped blooms in white and pink-purple.
An unusal group are the summer flowering sorts such as M. sieboldii with white pendulous blooms. 'Colossus' is larger in flower size and has more petals.
M. macrophylla has the largest leaves in the genus. well over 2 ft long and silver grey underneath. Flowers are in proportion as well and are 12" wide, fragrant white with just a touch of purple stained inside the petal base.
Magnolias like well drained rich soil. Adding generous amounts of organic matter will reward in future years. Only slight corrective pruing is all thay may be needed. Sun in cooler areas, and part shade and shelter from strong winds will protect the plants as they mature. Allow plenty of space to grow as many grow to large size and live many years.
Good luck with any of these. You will be planting for yourself and for posterity as they will outlive you.
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