Choose a tree with exceptional spring flowers, beautiful branch structure, or bold evergreen foliage
Millions of old age of phylogenesis and hybridization efforts by generations of enthusiasts have produced hundreds ofmagnoliaspecies and cultivars . Our mild Mid - Atlantic mood is contributing for growing a significant absolute majority of them , which defecate it quite daunting to pick out just one gross specimen . From my long lean of favorites , here are a few star selections with some of the sound traits that this ancient genus has to offer .
‘Butterflies’ magnolia warmly greets spring with sunny blooms
Magnolia‘Butterflies ’
Zones:5–9
Size:15 to 20 feet magniloquent and 10 to 15 feet wide
consideration : Full sun to partial wraith ; moist , well - drained grime
Small treeswith yellow former spring blooms are often toilsome to fall by , which explains my attraction to this lovely little hybrid . compare to other yellow - flowered magnolia , which tend to have blooms that fade quickly and color that is a moment muddy , ‘ butterfly stroke ’ is unique . Its vertical , 8 - inch , tulip - shape flowers have a nonfading vestal canary sensationalistic chromaticity and a light , lemony bouquet . It is small in height than many other selections , which makes it a suitable alternative for modest garden .
‘Wada’s Memory’ blooms at a very early age
Magnolia×kewensis‘Wada ’s Memory ’
Zones:5–8
Size:25 to 30 feet marvelous and 15 to 20 human foot wide
Many deciduous magnolias develop a very asymmetrical , unpredictable riding habit with age and maturity date , making it quite a challenge to locate them in spaces that are not large and undefended . That is not the case with ‘ Wada ’s Memory ’ , which develops and maintain a very symmetric , pyramidic shape from a young age . It also commence flower at a very young eld compare to other magnolia . The abundant , staring white , 7 - inch flowers collapse forward before foliation emerges in former leaping , sate the garden with a delicious orange - blossom fragrance .
Moonglow®sweet bay magnolia reblooms throughout the growing season
Magnolia virginiana‘Jim Wilson ’
Zones:5–10
Size:15 to 35 feet tall and 10 to 20 animal foot wide
Conditions : Full sunlight to partial shade ; moist to wet ground
aboriginal industrial plant enthusiast , this is the magnolia for you . Sweet bay magnolia naturally go on along much of the Atlantic coast and is very adaptable to a variety of growing conditions , including crocked soil . liken with the straight species , Moonglow ® has a more vigorous , vertical wont and is more insensate hardy . Its calendered , glum green foliage with argent undersides is retained and remains evergreen during the wintertime calendar month . emerge in spring , its pure white , slenderly transfuse , fragrant flowers are larger than those of the straight species , and it may also produce flowers sporadically throughout the uprise season . smart red seeds in conelike fruit add to the appeal of this excellent cultivar .
“The Girls” bloom later than other cultivars, so their flowers are less likely to be nipped by frost
Magnolia‘Ann ’ , ‘ Betty ’ , ‘ Jane ’ , ‘ Judy ’ , ‘ pinky ’ , ‘ Randy ’ , ‘ Ricki ’ , and ‘ Susan ’
Zones:4–8
Size:10 to 15 invertebrate foot tall and wide
Many magnolia blossom very early , so late frosts or freezing temperatures often cause pregnant damage to their flowered displays . The Little Girl series was developed at the National Arboretum in the 1950s to repair that problem . The project produced eight selections , listed above , that flower two to four hebdomad later than many of the early - bloom magnolias such as saucer magnolia ( M.×soulangiana , Zones 4–9 ) and star magnolia ( M. stellata , Zones 4–8 ) . Each of “ the girls ” has her own discrete personality . ‘ Ann ’ has a compact , shrublike , multistem habit and mildly fragrant , deep purpleness to pink flowers that appear from mid - April to May . Although less abundant than the initial flush , extra flush may explicate throughout the summer months . Others in the serial get in a similar manner , with prime color being the primary difference between them . ‘ Judy ’ , for deterrent example , has heyday that are red to empurple on the outside and creamy ashen inside , while ‘ Ricki ’ has reddish to violet efflorescence with more or less less saturated chromaticity on the interior .
‘D. D. Blanchard’ southern magnolia provides striking winter interest
Magnolia grandiflora‘D. D. Blanchard ’
Zones:7–9
Size:35 to 50 feet tall and 20 to 35 feet wide
This baronial specimen merit a domicile in any garden that can hold its sizeable habit . However , in smaller spaces I have view it develop as an espalier or pruned into a schematic shape with great winner . To my eye , the deep - dark-green , gamey - gloss leaf with rich velvety rust to brown undersurface make it far ranking to any of the other southern magnolias , with the possible exclusion of Teddy Bear ® (Magnolia grandiflora‘Southern Charm ’ , Zones 7–9 ) , which you’re able to read abouthere . Foliage create a beautiful backdrop for every bit lovely flowers . From late give to former summer , dinner party plate – size salad days produce a spicy , lemony olfactory property that perfumes the air beleaguer this magnificent specimen .
Adam Glas is a garden executive program and rosarian at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College in Swarthmore , Pennsylvania .
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‘Wada’s Memory’ magnolia is an early spring stunner, with fragrant white blossoms that emerge early on bare branches.Photo: Carol Collins
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Clear yellow blooms bedeck ‘Butterflies’, a compact selection that is a perfect fit for smaller gardens.Photo: Jennifer Benner
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‘Wada’s Memory’ has a tidy, elegant habit that sets it apart from other deciduous cultivars.Photo: Carol Collins
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Moonglow®is an outstanding selection from a native species that exhibits attractive characteristics every month of the year.Photo: Doreen Wynja
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‘Ann’ magnolia has a compact habit and luminous, late-emerging blooms.Photo: Jennifer Benner
If you have enough space for its impressive habit (left), the evergreen foliage of ‘D. D. Blanchard’ (right) will be a fabulous focal point in every season.Photos: Adam Glas
