The Leonard Messel magnolia is a gorgeous , flower deciduous tree admire for its early give blooms and compact form . This hybrid magnolia is a mark between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata , meld the dusty hardiness of one parent with the flowered lulu of the other .
In this scout , we ’ll cover everything you need to know about growing and caring for a Leonard Messel Nipponese magnolia tree .
Overview of Leonard Messel Magnolia
Leonard Messel is a cultivar of Magnolia x loebneri , which is itself a loan-blend between M kobus and M stellata . It was bred by the famous plantsman Sir Frederick Stern and named after the noted British garden designer Leonard Messel .
This small magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is noted for its :
The blooms emerge from fuzzy purple buds open up into 4 - column inch peak with pointed bloodless tepals blush with garden pink on the exterior . They appear before the leaves in former to mid spring .

Leonard Messel received the Royal Horticultural Society ’s honored Award of Garden Merit for its prominent qualities .
Growing Conditions
This magnolia do best in zone 5 - 9 . It thrives in moist , well - drain , acid ground and appreciates partial tad , especially in hot climates . Shelter it from drying winds .
When planting , amend heavy clay or arenaceous grime with compost to improve drainage and nutrients . Maintain even wet , especially while young . Leonard Messel is moderately drought patient of once established .
Planting and Care
Plant in other spring or autumn . Container - grown Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can be planted anytime .
dig out a golf hole 2 - 3 times as wide as the ancestor ball . Set the tree at the same profoundness it was grow in the baby’s room .
fill up the hole with remedy native soil and pack down firmly to take away air pockets . build a water basin around the base .
weewee soundly after planting and twice weekly thereafter for the first time of year .
Apply 2 - 4 column inch of mulch around the understructure , keeping it a few column inch from the trunk . Replenish as need .
Stake the tree for the first year if peril to malarkey . Remove wager after 1 - 2 years once well rooted .
Prune only to murder dead or discredited branches . Never trim the terminal loss leader .
fecundate in early springtime with a balanced or acidifying fertilizer .
Problems and Solutions
Leonard Messel magnolia is comparatively pest and disease resistant . Potential outcome let in :
Leaf spots : Provide good zephyr circulation and avoid wet foliage . move out and demolish affected leaves .
Powdery mildew : meliorate atmosphere flow and reduce shadowiness . apply neem oil or sulfur spraying as needed .
Aphids , shell , borers : address with horticultural oil or insecticidal max spray .
Cankers : Prune out septic areas . Disinfect creature between cut .
Verticillium wilt : Improve drainage and deflect water stress . Remove and ruin affected branches .
Enjoying Leonard Messel Magnolias
As a compact , multi - caulescent specimen , Leonard Messel magnolia put to work well in borders , cottage gardens , court , and other small - plate planting . couple it with early bulbs like Anemone quinquefolia and crocus to extend the floral showing .
The lightly fragrant , pink - tinged blooms make beautiful cut flowers . Cut a few branches to bring at heart and expose in a vase .
Since it stays under 20 ft improbable , this magnolia can be mature in container on decks and terrace . select a large pot and utilize a quality potting mix . Provide reproducible tearing .
For the respectable floral display , choose a site with full sun to part shade . tax shelter from harsh winds aid protect the early bloom .
Prune after flowering is finished to shape as needed . Remove any dead or discredited growth .
With right care , the Leonard Messel magnolia reinforcement gardeners with a elegant silhouette and spectacular spring blooms year after year . Its stocky size of it makes it ideal for modest cubic yard .
Alternatives to Consider
If the Leonard Messel magnolia does n’t become your needs , here are a few alternative magnolia trees to look at :
Star magnolia – Magnolia stellata has a shrubby form with abundant white star - regulate flower in former spring .
Saucer magnolia – Magnolia x soulangeana is a small tree diagram with large , cup - form blooms in shades of snowy , pink and purpleness .
Oyama magnolia – Magnolia sieboldii has enormous white blossom in late outflow and greater cold hardiness .
Loebner magnolia – Magnolia x loebneri is another compendious loanblend big for minuscule space and cool climate .
Umbrella magnolia – Magnolia tripetala is a large tree with huge leaves and upright white summertime flowers .
Final Thoughts
Leonard Messel Magnolia – A Big Splash of Colour For Your Drab Spring Garden.
FAQ
How full-grown does a Leonard Messel magnolia get ?
How do you care for a Leonard Messel magnolia tree ?
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