The Magnolia

Spring is a great time of year to watch new growth on a whole variety of trees, shrubs and plants, but seeing a whole tree burst into flower from a set of woody sticks is the most magical experience. Cherry trees blossom in late Spring giving masses of confetti style petal flowers as the wind blows they from the branches. Magnolias bloom at the same time, but these really are a class act.

Magnolia Stellata Waterlily
Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily'

Magnolia trees are star performers, the aristocrats of the plant world which produce large, beautiful flowers which are way ahead of the rest of the waking plants. They have delicate scent which has been copied many times for perfume, but never comes close to the subtleness of the real thing.

History

Magnolia have their origins across the globe, from North and Central America (with a few originating in South America) and the West Indies as well as from southeast Asia. Hybrids of these species however, can now be found across all these places as well as Europe and Australasia.

Magnolia belongs to the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae and there are approximately 220 flowering plant species.

Magnolia campbellii

They go back a long way into history with fossilised specimens being found dating back 20 million years, with plants belonging to the Magnoliaceae dating back to 95 million years. They originally evolved before bees which meant they could not pollinate as we expect them too with flying insects today. They relied then on pollination by beetles which eventually made the carpels of the flowers very tough in order to avoid them being eaten and damaged by insects which crawled.

The tree planted as an ornamental tree only became popular in recent times after botanists and plant collectors began to search Asia at the end of the 18th century. The plant was popular with the Chinese around 700 years before but this was due to it's medicinal qualities rather than it's beautiful flowers. Magnolia officinalis and Magnolia obovata for example are used in cough and cold medicines in China and Japan whilst Magnolia bark is said to contain compounds which demonstrate anti-anxiety and anti-angiogenic properties as well as properties which reduce allergic and asthmatic reactions.

Magnolia 'Susan'

Today, the wild Magnolia has a less than secure future. Some species have less than 10 single examples left in their wild natural surroundings. A recent report written by Sara Oldfield of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (April 2007) suggested that 131 wild magnolia species are in danger of extinction. The trees are at risk from deforestation to make way for coffee plantations, generally by logging or by over exploiting trees which are used for medicinal purposes.

One of the most popular garden magnolias is a hybrid, Magnolia x soulangeana. Flower looks good but let's face it, with varieties like Magnolia stellata 'Waterlilly' and Magnolia x wieseneri around, why go for what everyone else has?

Propagation

Magnolias are usually propagated in two ways: sexually from seeds and asexually from vegetative tissue.

Grown from seed, plants can take many years to bloom. This is in their genetic make up and cannot be speeded up.

Cultivation

Plant in April adding peat to the hole. Avoid any frost as this will damage the flower buds.
Choose a location in full sun or partial shade.
Stay clear of exposed or windy planting locations.
All magnolias prefer fertile, well-drained soil and most favour slightly acidic soil, but there are a few varieties which prefer an alkaline soil.
They do like to have their feet in deep soil.
They do not like being moved once they have been planted and do not like waterlogged soil.

Magnolia campbellii

Care

Mulch the tree in spring if possible with manure and leafmould, avoiding the bark as this can cause disease.
Feed twice a year with a liquid feed specifically designed for ericaceous plants. Once flower buds start to appear, feed the plant with a potash based fertiliser.
Regular pruning is un-necessary but after flowering, remove any dead, broken or diseased branches.
Dislodge snow from branches to prevent them from damage or snapping under excess weight.

Magnolia x soulangeana

Scientific Classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Magnoliaceae
Genus:	Magnolia

The genus is named after Pierre Magnol, a botanist from Montpellier in France.

Further information:

The Magnolia Society: http://www.magnoliasociety.org/

The Rhododendron, Camellia & Magnolia Group of the Royal Horticultural Society: http://www.rhodogroup-rhs.org/

Northwest Gardens to visit:

Ness Botanic Gardens
Ness
Neston
South Wirral
CH64 4AY

Tel: 0151 353 0123

Web: http://www.nessgardens.org.uk/

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