Family: Magnoliaceae

This popular genus consists of over 100 species of mostly deciduous trees and shrubs which are grown for their large, beautiful flowers. Magnolias are grown as lawn specimens and amongst other trees; the smaller species are popular as container plants.

Species

M. campbellii, zones 8-9, from the Himalayas, is a deciduous tree growing as tall as 25 m (80 ft) in its habitat. It likes a sheltered situation. The beautiful, fragrant, erect blooms appear on leafless branches from late winter to mid-spring. The flowers are pink and white inside and pink on the outside of the petals. Subspecies mollicomata, zone 8, is similar, but hardier, and flowers earlier. It grows 15-25 m (50-80 ft) tall.

M. delavayi, zone 9, is an evergreen, spreading tree, to 9 m (30 ft) tall, which is less hardy than other species. It has large leaves, to 25 cm (10 in) long, and fragrant, creamy white tlowers.

M. denudata (Synonym: M. heptapeta), yulan or lily tree, zone 6, has been cultivated in China for many centuries. A deciduous shrub or tree, it grows to around 15 m (50 ft). In spring it produces masses of erect, fragrant, white flowers on leafless branches.

M. grandiflora, laurel magnolia or bull bay, zone 6, is an attractive, evergreen tree from the south of the United States which reaches heights of 30 m (100 ft). It is fairly slow growing, developing a broad crown with age. The large, white, cup-shaped flowers have purple stamens and a sweet perfume, and appear in summer; the leaves are glossy green on top and rust-coloured and hairy on the undersides. The flowers are followed by cone-like fruit.

M. hypoleuca, zone 6, is a hardy, deciduous tree which can grow as tall as 15 m (50 ft). The cream or ivory, fragrant flowers appear at the same time as the leaves.

M. kobus, zone 5, is a deciduous tree, 10-20 m (33-66 ft) tall, with small, generally upright, creamy white flowers which are borne on leafless branches.

M. liliiflora (Synonym: M. quinquepeta), zone 6, is a deciduous, bushy shrub, with a height and spread of up to 3.5 m (11 ft). Narrow, fragrant flowers, purple outside and white inside, are borne amongst the oval, dark green leaves from mid-spring to midsummer. Cultivar 'Nigra' has large, dark purple flowers, coloured pale purple to pink on the inside.

M. x loebneri (M. kobus x M. stellata), zone 5, is similar to Al. slellata but it has larger leaves and 12-petalled flowers. This deciduous tree grows to around 10 m 133 ft) tall and has a spreading habit.

M. sieboldii, zone 7, is a hardy shrub or tree, to 9 m (30 ft), with a spreading habit. The fragrant, cup-shaped, white flowers appear in midsummer and are followed by crimson fruit.

M. x soulangeana (M. denudata x liliiflora), zone 5, is a hardy, deciduous tree, to 4.5 m (15 ft), with large, purple flowers, white on the inside, which appear before and after the leaves emerge. Cultivar 'Alba' has pure white flowers; 'Alexandrine' produces large flowers flushed with purple at the base; 'Lennei' has rose-purple flowers, coloured white on the inside; 'Rustica Rubra' is a more vigorous grower, with rosy purple, goblet-shaped flowers; M. stellata, zone 4, from Japan, is a spreading, deciduous shrub, growing between 3 and 8 m (10-26 ft) tall. The white, fragrant, many-petalled flowers appear from early spring to mid-spring before the dull green, oval leaves. It flowers when quite young. Cultivar 'Rosea' has pink flowers; 'Waterlily is a fine, many-petalled form.

Cultivation

Magnolias should be protected from strong winds to ensure they look their best when in flower. They prefer a light loam which is slightly acid. They need plenty of water in summer, while a thick mulch of decayed leaf mould, aged cow manure or straw will help to control evaporation. If transplanting, move before the new growth begins. Propagate species from seed in autumn, sown outside; deciduous and evergreen species and cultivars from semi-ripe cuttings in late summer; named cultivars by budding or grafting; all magnolias by layering in spring.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.