Plant of the Week
Saucer Magnolia
Latin: Magnolia x soulangiana
Every gardener is a bit of a gambler or they would never plant
saucer magnolias. This beautiful tree blooms early and the risk of
losing the flowers to a spring frost is great; but when they make it
the payout is high. This spring has been one of those perfect years
for saucer magnolia, reminding us anew of what beauty this early
spring bloomer can produce.
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana) is a slow
growing, low-branched, deciduous tree capable of reaching 25 feet in
height and width. In late winter, the fuzzy gray, pinky-sized buds
expand rapidly and produce 5-inch diameter, cup-shaped blooms,
usually with nine petals. The tulip shaped blossoms give rise to the
common name, tulip tree. The outer surface of the petals are
pinkish-purple while the inner surface is white. The Chinese have a
wonderful name for these magnolias - Yingchunhua - which
means "welcoming-spring flower."
These large exposed buds tolerate midwinter temperatures as low
as minus 20 degrees Farenheit, but once the flower opens even the
threat of a frost on the evening news turns the petals to mush. The
flower buds have a short chilling requirement to break dormancy,
something on the order of 600 hours. Temperatures around 40 degrees
F (give or take 5 degrees) are logged by the dormant bud, and when
the requisite number of chilling hours is met, the buds are ready to
open with the first sunny day.
Controlled hybrids were first created in 1820 by Etienne
Soulange-Bodin (1774-1846), a cavalry officer in the service of
Napoleon who fought in battles from Vienna to Moscow. After the
defeat at Waterloo, Soulange-Bodin gave up the sword in favor of his
garden spade.
Soulange-Bodin described the species used in his crosses as M.
yulan (now M. denudata) x M. purpurea (now M.
quinquipeta). His initial hybrids first flowered in 1827 and
were found to be fertile, so he and other breeders quickly began
adding to and expanding the offering in this hybrid species. Today,
about 50 selections are listed with many of them similar in
appearance and garden performance.
The vagaries of our weather usually provide a few false starts to
spring, so early bloomers such as the saucer magnolia often get
caught with their pants down. Here in Fayetteville, and from what I
have observed in other areas, count on show-stopping displays from
the saucer magnolia about once every three years. But when it hits
big, you'll quickly forget the disappointment caused by years when
it gets blasted.
The bloom time for early spring bloomers is affected by planting
location. North slopes and the north side of the home don 't get as
much winter sun, so the soil stays cooler and blooming is delayed.
Conversely, south slopes and the south side of the house warm up
first and plants bloom first.
Saucer magnolias are precocious bloomers and usually well-budded
even as 5-foot tall specimens. Landscape uses include planting for
dooryard specimens, as lawn specimens and mixed with other landscape
plants in a flowering border.
Because they are relatively small at maturity, they can be
planted close to the house or patio without fear the coarse roots
damaging the structure. They are slow growing, so give them the best
advantage by planting in a fertile, well-drained garden soil that
receives some supplemental watering during summer droughts.
By: Gerald Klingaman, retired
Extension Horticulturist
- Ornamentals
Extension News -
March 28, 2003
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