Magnificent Magnolias.

Magnolia soulangeana

Magnolia soulangeanais such a familiar visual sense in suburban garden ; it is the most popular magnolia . This one is in a neighbor ’s garden . The trouble is its early blooms are often turn brown by frost . It is lovely but there are many other varieties too choose from .

When we moved into this house there was not one single magnolia in the garden . In my old garden there were 23 and every one was superb except for the one that I had grown from seed . This one flowered after 15 long yr but the flowers were small and unsatisfying , so I would n’t bother again . It ’s like growingWisteriafrom source , the results are usually disappointing .

Magnolia soulangeana

One of the first jobs here was to plant some magnolia . I bring with meMagnolia liliflora‘Nigra ’ which I had broadcast from one in my previous garden by layering . This flowers a flake by and by than most of them and is not out yet . It makes a nice summary tree and its flowers are very dark empurpled - pink .

I felt I could not be without the lovelyMagnolia x loebneri‘Leonard Messel ’ . It is a loan-blend between Magnolia kobusandMagnolia stellata . Each blossom has 12 petals , like to those ofMagnolia stellata , but much larger . It is very beautiful and the pink flowers are fragrant . They do n’t seem as likely to get frost damaged as those of the ubiquitousMagnolia soulangeana .

Magnolia x loebneri ‘ Leonard Messel ’

Magnolia soulangeana

Magnolia soulangeana

Magnolia x soulangeana‘Black Tulip ’ was an impulse bargain . I saw it in bloom and had to have it . It is a hybrid from New Zealand bred by Mark Jury . The flower are not shameful and neither do they look much like tulip . They are a mystifying burgundy and goblet shape ; more like water supply lilies than tulips . It is absolutely stunning .

Magnolia soulangeanaBlack Tulip

Magnolia liliflora x M.campbelli‘Star Wars ’ is another amazing loan-blend from New Zealand . Unlike its tender parent ‘ Campbelli’it begin bloom very vernal . I have only had mine for three years and it has 19 blooms on it this year . The flowers are huge and fragrant . The late Princess Sturdza who possess the magnificent garden , Le Vasterival near Dieppe in France enunciate she thought it is the very best of all the magnolias . I went on a guided tour of Le Vasterival some years ago . The Princess who was then in her XC herded us around the garden with a pitchfork . If anyone dared to step on the bloom bed they were prodded . Her sidekick , Sybille observe a careful eye out for any strayer . The garden was the most beautiful I have ever seen and the Princess was clearly a hands - on nurseryman even at her long time . Our normally opinionated groupwas so much in awe of her and so panic-stricken of getting prod with the pitchfork that we did n’t ask too many questions . Nevertheless she told us a great deal about how she had created the garden and it was a privilege to meet her .

Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’

Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’

Magnolia lilifora x M. Campbellii‘Star Wars ’

Of course not all magnolia are pinkish . Magnolia‘Elizabeth ’ is yellow . It blossom much later than the others so its blossom do n’t get damaged by frost . It is one of the last to flower . I also have the lovely late - floweringMagnolia wilsoniiwhich has an dainty perfume but it does n’t bloom until May . I will show you these lulu subsequently when they are in flower .

Gill atontheedgegardeningshowed us a gorgeousMagnoliasprengeri ‘ Marwood Spring ’ on a recent post . It is so beautiful that perhaps I may have to find one . Do have a look at it . The only trouble is it grows quite big . Perhaps the more heavyset one likeMagnoliaSusan are more utile if one lacks outer space .

Magnolia Black Tulip

Magnolia soulangeanaBlack Tulip

My friend M has the lovelyMagnolia‘Susan ’ which is seem marvelous at the second . I bought one for my daughter and I really do n’t eff why I did n’t get one for myself . It has endearing dark pink efflorescence and is very compact .

Magnolia’Susan ’

If you want a Magnolia there are so many more interesting ones than theMagnoliasoulangeanathat you see in everyone else ’s garden .

Magnolia lilifora x M. Campbellii ‘Star Wars’

Magnolia lilifora x M. Campbellii‘Star Wars’

42 Responses toMagnificent Magnolias.

I love M Leonard Messel but it does not come along to care me . My plant is looking all but deceased this class . I shall replace it though , in a different spot , and will definitely consider Susan . I could n’t be without Magnolias .

The deciduous Magnolias put on such a reasonably flowered show . I have one of the evergreen plant varieties – I ’m not trusted which but I conceive it ’s in the grandiflora species . The flower tend to be hidden among the leaves but the hum of the bees always alarm me to look up to line up the bloom .

Thanks for such an illuminating and well illustrated post Chloris . I ’m wait for the imminent delivery of a small magnolia wilsonii with much anticipation . I chuckled at the approximation of you take chances being prodded by a pitchfork . Was it just a theatrical prop do you think or would it have really been put to use if anybody had err from the full-strength and narrow-minded ?

Magnolia Susan

Magnolia’Susan’

Magnificent Magnolias.