Magnolia Gallery

Genie is a sensational new magnolia from New Zealand. After 15 years of breeding there is eventually a plant that holds its deep red-purple colour well and offers prolonged flowering period. The hybridizing process was truly awesome, if you are interested in how this jewel came to life follow its history of crossing:
Sweet Simplicity x liliiflora Nigra = Breeder
Breeder x Black Tulip = Sweet Valentine
Breeder x Sweet Valentine = Genie

Genie has deep red, almost black buds that open into medium-sized flowers with 6-12 petals that open into 10-15 cm wide, cup-shaped, lotus-like flowers. It starts flowering in the middle of magnolia season and continues almost into summer when it offers a few extra flowers on the background of deep green, healthy foliage. It grows slowly about 3m tall and wide in a regular pyramidal shape. Genie flowers already as a two-year old seedling.

Magnolias are not supposed to be pruned. You can prune old shrubs if ill, or trim them to shape or to reduce size, or make an elementary cut to young plants of unsightly or unhealthy appearance. Do this as soon as possible after flowering to secure setting of flower buds for the following year. Be aware that each magnolia can respond differently to pruning.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acidic soil with equal moisture throughout the year. Once established they can do with occasional drought but will not look as nice as the ones with regular watering. Just pay attention to how to plant your magnolia. First, find it a spot where it will live forever and ever. It does not like transplanting. And as it makes shallow roots reaching well over its spread stay away from disturbing the roots by digging or messing about around it. Just cover the soil with bark mulch and do not plant anything else near it after say the second year after planting onwards. You could damage the very important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus you could be digging its grave. It is fully hardy to -27°C and supposed to survive -29°C (USDA zone 5)

One of the most unique aspects of the White Magnolia tree flower is its age! It is older than the bees! Always having been pollinated by beetles, the petals of the White Magnolia flower are super tough - enough to withstand all that beetle activity. The Magnolia species are around 95 million years old!

There are many kinds of Magnolias, found mainly in two separate geographical areas: Asia and the Americas. The bark and flower buds of Magnolia officinalis have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, with a huge range of benefits. Japanese scientists have found constituents in Magnolia bark that are 1000 times more potent in antioxidant activity than Vitamin E, as well as being powerful anti-stress and cortisol-reducing (weight loss) remedies, restoring brain chemical balance and reducing inflammation.

The Magnolia grandiflora is native to the Americas. It is HUGE, with creamy white petals and rich green leaves that have dark brown velvet on the undersides. This White Magnolia is supremely fragrant with a spicy floral scent.

'Susan' is a gorgeous magnolia with scented goblet shaped flowers. As spring approaches the buds' protective furry coat cracks open to reveal a lovely deep reddish-purple bud which later opens to red-purple and pink within. Grow in moist, well-drained, neutral to acid soil. In full sun or partial shade. Shelter from wind. Hardy.

Magnolia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with large, showy, often fragrant flowers, often opening before the leaves, and sometimes followed by colourful cone-like fruit.

M. x soulangeana is a spreading deciduous tree or large shrub to 6m tall, with obovate leaves to 20cm long, and white, pink or purple, goblet-shaped flowers up to 25cm across in spring

Alexandrina is a very popular variety of saucer magnolia. Thanks to the rich colour of outer petals it is rated commercially best-selling saucer magnolia. The flowers are upto 10 cm across, white inside, flushed deep pink and purple outside, with a lovely fragrance.

Deciduous leaves are rather obovate with a notable tip, medium sized, mid to dark green. It grows moderately, 5-6m tall and 3-4m wide. This variety has a more upright habit than the species which makes it ideal for standard tree forms.

Magnolias are not supposed to be pruned. You can prune old shrubs if ill, or trim them to shape or to reduce size, or make an elementary cut to young plants of unsightly or unhealthy appearance. Do this as soon as possible after flowering to secure setting of flower buds for the following year. Be aware that each magnolia can respond differently to pruning.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acidic soil with equal moisture throughout the year. Once established they can do with occasional drought but will not look as nice as the ones with regular watering. Just pay attention to how to plant your magnolia. First, find it a spot where it will live forever and ever. It does not like transplanting. And as it makes shallow roots reaching well over its spread stay away from disturbing the roots by digging or messing about around it. Just cover the soil with bark mulch and do not plant anything else near it after say the second year after planting onwards. You could damage the very important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus you could be digging its grave. It is fully hardy to USDA zone 5. Just make sure it is not in a too exposed windy area. We still recommend mulching it well to keep it moist in any season.

A small Magnolia with pale yellow flowers which appear mid to late Spring. One of the best things about this magnolia is its ability to adapt to various soil types, unlike other varieties it is tolerant of lime soil, so is suitable for almost any garden, due to its small nature it is also happy planted in a large pot so can be used for decoration in small gardens with no borders or planting area.

Planting position: Magnolia Yellow Lantern prefer a good sunny spot but will cope well with light partial shade. Preferably plant somewhere away from exposed windy sites and somewhere that avoids frost as much as possible, this is more important in early spring than during the winter as late harsh late frosts may damage furry buds and the flowers.

Soil: Whilst most Magnolia prefer an acidic soil. This variety will adapt to almost any type, even ones with a high lime content. Ensure the planting area has a good supply of water and does not dry out totally or become waterlogged.

Suitable for container planting: Yes can adapt to being grown in a pot.

Eventual height and spread: In absolute ideal conditions upto 3 metres with an 2 metres spread. But even after 10 years this plant will only have reached 1.5 metres

Pruning: Not really a necessity, if you choose to it should be done in Mid-summer when the tree is in full leaf. Any broken or damaged branches can be removed as they occur. Growth speed: Slow

Growth Habit: Bushy

Evergreen: No deciduous Flowering Period: Produces pale yellow flowers in mid to late Spring, leaves arrive towards the end of the flowering period Foliage: Mid to dark green large leaves.

Winter hardy: Yes

A relatively easy plant to maintain, that has no real specific requirements. When preparing your hole add some well rotted manure or a loam based compost this will help the plant adapt to its new surroundings quicker, also ensure your plant is planted at the same depth as it is in the pot. Like all new plants ensure a good water supply until established