Magnoliaxsoulangeana
The most democratic deciduous magnolia , Magnoliaxsoulangeana , produces heaps and heaps of large purpleness , pastel garden pink , and white blossoms on bare branches in the spring .
But it ’s not a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that occurs in nature . It ’s a intercrossed interbreeding of two not - so - popular coinage . The result is one of the best magnolia options out there : the disc magnolia .
What makes this cross so fantastic ? It produces an almost unsubstantial number of bloom . The tree diagram is so densely surcharge in refined flowers that you ca n’t even see the branches underneath .
Magnolia denudata.
It maintains a petite size of it equate to other species in the genus , averaging around 20 feet marvellous , and it ’s relatively unafraid by diseases and plague .
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want a focal point in the garden but lack space ? Want something that will bring forth a bright show without much study on your part ? Looking for a tree that is n’t fail to ask constant pampering ?
Magnolia denudata.
The answer to all three of those questions is a saucer magnolia .
In ourguide to spring up magnolias , we discuss how to cultivate these trees in your landscape . In this guide , we ’ll zero - in on the saucer magnolia , and how to make this tree boom .
Here ’s what I ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
It always help to realize a bit about a tree diagram ’s history before you jump into growing it . That way , you could have a good estimation of what the plant needs . Let ’s go over that first .
Cultivation and History
Saucer magnolia ( Magnoliaxsoulangeana ) do n’t appear naturally in the state of nature .
They ’re cultivated intercrossed crosses of two magnolia species : lilytree ( M. denudata)and tulip magnolia ( M. liliiflora ) .
M. denudatatrees rise up to 30 feet tall and produce lots of citrous fruit - scented , thick - petaled bloodless bloom .
The Mulan , purple , red , lily , or tulip magnolia ( M. liliiflora ) acclaim from southwest China and has been pop in Japan for centuries , though it ’s not aboriginal there . It was introduced to Britain in 1861 from Japan .
It ’s smaller than many other coinage , at just 12 feet tall or so . The efflorescence are pinkish - purple .
Saucer magnolia combine the good features of both species .
They are small in stature at about 20 feet grandiloquent and 15 feet broad at maturity . In the former spring in Zones 5 to 9 , enceinte lily-white , pinkish , and maroon flowers bud out on the stem and open up up with a cupped or globular bod , evaluate up to 14 inches in diam .
The flower people of colour , size , and material body vary count on the cultivar . The one feature they all have in common is that the tree are super floriferous . When they ’re in peak , you may hardly even see the ramification underneath .
After the flowers fade , they are followed by alternative , elongated leaves . Underneath all that is smooth , gray bark .
When they ’re young , the trees tend to grow in quite an upright habit , but they take on a rounded or ellipse build as they maturate .
We have French botanist and biologist Etienne Soulange - Bodin to thank for this florescence admiration . He tinkered around with the parent species and finally bred and named the disk magnolia in 1826 .
He was impressed with its prolific blossoming , and it apace became popular in France , England , and North America . Now , there are dozens of cultivar uncommitted and you’re able to find this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree growing in landscapes and parks much everywhere that has the proper clime .
Saucer Magnolia Propagation
As a hybrid , it ’s unspoiled not to essay to propagate saucermagnolia from seedas it wo n’t grow straight and your patience is unbelievable to be rewarded .
Buying a flora from a nursery for transplanting or propagating via stem turn cuttings are both dependable room to get originate .
From Cuttings
circulate stem carving creates an precise clone of the parent flora , so if you love a particular Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , you may take a few deal cuttings and recreate it .
In the spring just after the leave of absence open up , find a outgrowth that is indulgent and pliable with new growth and healthy leafage . shorten about eight inches in length with the end at a 45 - level angle .
polish off all the leave except the top two . If both leave are relatively large when compare to other foliage on the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , cut them in half vertically . Too much foliage will run out the modified imagination in the newspaper clipping before it can develop the base .
Fill a gallon - sized container with a come - starting mixture . Dip the remainder of the cut in root hormone and insert it into the core of the container about two inches deep .
Moisten the average well and station the container in an area with bright , collateral light . If you live in a dry climate , it can help to encamp some clear credit card over the newspaper clipping to retain humidness . Do n’t let the plastic meet the bow cutting , though . Prop it up with a chopstick or other type of documentation if necessary .
Keep the filth moist and wait for the cutting to uprise new development . When young growth is unmistakable , you may graft the rooted cut into the garden in the spring or summer .
Transplanting
Purchasing a disc magnolia from your local baby’s room or garden heart and soul is n’t as cheap as grow from cuttings , but you get a headstart , and it ’s surely much easy .
Plan to bribe and transplant your young Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the natural spring . Many tree do good when you found them in the crepuscle , but magnolia favor to be transfer in the bounce .
When you bring home your pot tree , dig out a maw that ’s the same profundity and twice as wide as the container the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is presently develop in .
Remove the plant from the container and gently relax up the roots . You need them to develop out and away from the center , not encircle around , which might befall if the plant has been growing in the container for a while .
propagate the roots aid prevent girdling the tree , which is when the ascendent raise in a lap at or below dirt floor , and can finally strangle the tree .
fix the plant in the ground at the same height as it was in the container and fulfil in around the roots with grunge . piss well and add more dirt , if necessary .
The more stocky disc magnolia cultivars such as ‘ Brozzoni , ’ ‘ Lilliputian , ’ and ‘ Verbanica ’ can be grow in container .
Choose a large container , something ten gal or bigger , that has several drain holes . Make indisputable it ’s got some weight to it so you do n’t have to interest about your tree diagram tip over .
make full the container with a standard potting commixture . Anything that drain well and is water retentive will process .
FoxFarm Ocean Forest
I ’m partial to FoxFarm Ocean Forest potting soil , which you’re able to find in 12 quart bagsavailable via Amazon .
dispatch the plant from its growing container and untie up the root . Set it in the new container and backfill with the potting soil .
You need the tree diagram to be sit down about the same height it was in the growing container or maybe an column inch or two higher . Water well and add more soil if it settles .
How to Grow Saucer Magnolias
Saucer magnolia grow well in full Sunday to part shade locations in Zones 5 to 9 , though wraith will lose weight anthesis .
dish magnolias are moderately tolerant of precondition that pain other magnolia specie , like wind and alkaline soil .
The branches do n’t break as easily as some species and though they prefer organically - plenteous , well - drain , somewhat acidulous to impersonal filth with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 , they ’ll tolerate a pH up to 8.0 .
These trees do best in areas with consistently moist territory . Any extremes on either end of the spectrum , whether that ’s too wry or quaggy and waterlogged , will stress or down the tree .
That means you ’ll take to irrigate if Mother Nature does n’t leave the necessary moisture . Anytime the soil begins to dry out , add water until it feel like a well - wrung - out sponge .
It ’s especially important to stay on top of watering for the first five years of the plant ’s life-time . After that , it can endure a bit more variance .
container dry out faster than footing dirt , so you ’ll take to keep a close optic on the dirt moisture , especially during dry spells .
Now , we have to talk about the grievous part of growing this plant . After await patiently all wintertime long , in former spring the bud swell and the flowers open . Then along comes a tardy frost , and boom . The flowers are dead , and you have to lose out on this year ’s display .
There is n’t much you’re able to do to prevent this other than select one of the cultivars that bud out a snatch later in the spring if your country is prone to late Robert Lee Frost . If you have enough frost fabric and you’re able to reach the entire tree diagram , you’re able to cover it to protect the bud and blossoms .
render to quash implant next to a brick or cement wall that face up in the south . This area is usually lovesome than the environ area and it might encourage the flowers to bud out earlier than normal , will them expose to late frosts .
To promote lot of blooms , fertilize the plant once in the spring each yr after bloom with an all - use food for thought .
I reach for Down to Earth ’s All Purpose food because it total in a compostable box and is made from right stuff like bone repast , feather repast , Medicago sativa meal , and kelp meal .
Down to Earth All Purpose Food
If you ’d like to grab some , nous to Arbico Organics .
They also stock a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and bush mix , which contains interchangeable goodies with the addition of eleven strains of mycorrhizal fungus to sustain healthy roots .
Down to Earth Tree and Shrub Mix
It ’s alsoavailable at Arbico Organicsin five- or 15 - pound box .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
very well , strap in . We ’re about to dive into the complex world of pruning magnolia . Wait , did I say complex ? I meant to say incredibly simple .
You probably do n’t ever want to prune your saucer magnolia , unless there ’s a problem like a broken arm or signs of disease .
When the trees are young , you could prune them to encourage a more tree diagram - like form if that ’s what you prefer , since they can sometimes take on a shrubby visual aspect .
Otherwise , prune off any pathologic or damage branch as you see them .
You do n’t even need to lop to open up the canopy , as you do with some species , unless you want to . The best time to clip for material body is in the springiness before the flower open .
If you are growing your specimen in a container , you should n’t involve to repot , but if you embark on to see rootage produce out of the drainage golf hole , off the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( engage the help of a protagonist ) and prune the roots and put the plant back in the pot .
Then , garnish the canopy a bit to cut the load on the roots .
Saucer Magnolia Cultivars to Select
There are a few popular cultivars that you’re able to happen at garden centers and nurseries , but many space just carry the ever - democratic original .
And why not ? It ’s practically perfect ; no betterment postulate .
Saucer Magnolia
soda water on overto Nature Hills Nurseryfor a live plant in a # 2 or # 3 container .
Of of course , there ’s no reason not to relish one of the many marvelous cultivars as there are options with white flower , more heavyset shapes , and even more floriferous blooming .
Alba Superba
With prominent , to a great extent fragrant flowers that are mostly white with just a suggestion of purple blush at the base , this cultivar is dressed in a sick gown of flowers for weeks in the early spring .
It grows to about 20 feet tall , do it ideal for pocket-sized spots .
Bred in The Netherlands at the Van Geert Nursery in 1866 , This cultivar gained a unfluctuating pursuit and apprehend the Royal Horticultural Society ’s Award of Garden Merit in 1969 .
Alexandrina
‘ Alexandrina ’ maintains its 20- to 30 - infantry superlative with a compendious growth wont without any effort on your part .
Just found it and watch it grow and bloom with its purplish - pink and white loving cup - shaped , fragrant flowers .
It was discovered in France in 1831 and has since diversify free-base on where it is produce . Those in Europe run have paler bloom , while North American clones are dismal .
‘ Alexandrina ’
The only downside is that this cultivar blooms early , which stand for late frosts can toss off the blossom . Nature Hills Nurseryhas this various smasher in # 1 and # 5 containers .
Lennei
A small tree diagram that only grow to about 15 feet tall , with comparatively pocket-size flower at just four in in diameter , ‘ Lennei ’ still manages to make a freehanded statement .
Each blossom is abstruse purple and rose on the exterior and creamy white inside . So the tree look vivacious pinky - purple as the flowers bud out and then take on a bicolored appearing as they open .
The flush appear a little later than other saucer magnolias , and they might protrude up again in the summer in smaller numbers .
Managing Pests and Disease
discus magnolia are relatively free from pests and diseases . I will , however , suggest that you set up camp in the spring as the bud are developing .
Arm yourself with an breeze horn and a honorable Christian Bible , and blast the squirrels out of the area , because they will eat the peak buds .
cervid disregard them , though , so that ’s a relief !
There really are n’t many diseases to concern about and the only insect pest to stress about is shell .
Scale
Magnolia scale ( Neolecanium cornuparvum ) is the turgid scale insect in the US , do in at nearly half an column inch in diam .
It ’s a North American native and it does n’t feed on anything but magnolias , with disc being one of its favorites .
The pestilence are orange - pink and oval with a bloodless waxy coat , and they use their draw mouthpart to draw the sap out of the trees .
Light plague may stress the tree , induce foliage pearl or branch dieback , but in the cause of a threatening infestation , a tree can expire .
As they feed , the insects egest a sticky essence known as honeydew . Not only does this swing onto the lawn , cars , walkways and anything else under the tree , but it also attracts unsightlysooty mold .
implement a torpid oil before the blossom open can help give you a principal start on the season , but true control involves boost natural piranha like ladybugs and green lacewings .
A healthy garden should have a effective balance of pests and predator , so working towards diverseness is important . In the unforesightful condition , you may grease one’s palms good predator to give up into your garden .
Green Lacewings
you could find green lacewing in a variety of quantities to serve your aboriginal populationsavailable at Arbico Organics .
It ’s possible to utilise insecticides , but these will wipe out the dear bug along with the tough , so you end up press the problem yr after year . It ’s in effect to reserve pesticides for knockout infestations that jeopardize the biography of the tree diagram .
Learn to deal with scale insects in our guidebook .
Tulip-Poplar Weevils
Tulip - poplar weevil ( Odontopus calceatus ) will chew hollow in the leaves , but they are n’t anything to worry about .
Just know that if your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has some porous leave , that ’s probable the case . If it drives you bollock , treat them with insecticidal Georgia home boy .
Verticillium Wilt
In terms of disease , verticillium wilt disease is evil . It can rapidly kill an otherwise healthy , mature tree diagram and there is no cure .
front for symptoms like leaf scorch , unusually heavy seeding , and branch death . Because the symptoms are somewhat undefined , reduce off a branch and strip the barque . If you see brown run or brown sapwood , you’re able to corroborate the job .
If your tree diagram is infect , you ca n’t spare it . Remove it to forbid infecting other plants .
The fungus lives in the territory for yr , so do n’t implant anything there that ’s susceptible to the disease for at least ten year . And many , many Tree are susceptible .
The listing of those that are n’t susceptible is passably short . Try growing birch rod , Ginkgo biloba , juniper bush , spruce , pine , dogwood tree , hawthorn , fig , mulberry tree , oak , sequoia , andwillowtrees instead .
Best Uses for Saucer Magnolias
The dish magnolia can be grown in a big container if you ’re willing to snip systematically . Talk about a focal point on your terrace !
you’re able to also use the tree in espalier , but please , please do n’t train it against a wall . The heat will shine off the wall and onto the tree and stimulate it to flower a bit sooner , leaving it exposed to killing frosts .
Otherwise , the saucer magnolia take a leak a perfect specimen or background tree in the landscape . The more compact cultivar can make a major impact in a small place .
If you opt to allow the tree to take on a shrubby visual aspect , you’re able to plant a few as a floriferous hedge for privacy or to make a natural boundary .
Magnolia flowers are also edible , and I find the blooms from saucer magnolia to be some of the tasty .
The deeper the color , the more floral and citrus the flavor seems to be . Pickle them , use them in tea , or chop them up to add a chip of colour to salads .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Sit Back and Enjoy the Show
It ’s intemperately not to love a plant that lets you fundamentally model back and enjoy the show with little work on your part , but that ’s the saucer magnolia for you .
And show me a fountain - blossom tree that is as impressive . The blossoms are Brobdingnagian , colorful , and there are just so many of them . I think the fact that they blossom on unsheathed leg before the leaves emerge makes the presentation even more telling .
And tolearn more about develop magnolias , have a read of these guides next :
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About
Kristine Lofgren
