Magnolias are very popular shrub or arboreal plants. They have large flowers, up to 10cm in diameter, which give off a very pleasant aroma. Of all the species, there is one in particular whose fame is only increasing: the Magnolia lili flowera, also known by the name of Tulip Magnolia, or Garden Tulip because its flowers are similar to those of the bulbous tulip plant.
But in addition to being able to create a show during the spring for its beautiful petals, it must also be said that it is suitable to have in small gardens, or even in pots. Find out why.
Characteristics of the Magnolia liliiflora
Image - Gardens Online
La magnolia liliflora It is a shrubby plant native to southwestern China. Like the rest of the species of this genus, it is slow growing. It reaches a maximum height of 4 meters. It has deciduous leaves, which means that they fall in autumn-winter and sprout again in spring. The leaves, by the way, are elliptical or ovoid, of an intense green color. Flowers sprout on branches in early spring, before the leaves do. They are very striking, purple on the outside and cream on the inside.
Es very rustic, being able to grow in cold climates with temperatures of up to -8ºC, as in hot climates of up to 30ºC.
Magnolia liliiflora care
La magnolia liliflora it is very, very easy to grow. But so that it can vegetate without problems it is very important that we bear in mind that it is a acidophilus plant, so we can only plant it in the garden if the soil we have has a low pH, between 4 and 6. Also, and from my own experience I can tell you that in hot climates (where the temperature exceeds 30ºC in summer) does not finish adapting. But if you live in a temperate climate, your Magnolia will surely grow wonderfully, because you will only have to place it in a bright area but without direct sunlight, and water it between 2 and 3 times a week.
In the event that you want to have it in a pot, I advise you to use a substrate for acidic plants, and fertilize it from spring to late summer with a mineral fertilizer also for acidophilic plants, or with organic fertilizers such as worm humus, crushed horn or guano . Also to control their growth you can prune it in early spring -before it blooms- to lower its height.
With these tips, you magnolia liliflora it will look great year after year 😉.
Hello Monica, my name is Hector, my liliflora begins to lose its leaves in the middle of January, I think it is not normal for this plant, am I wrong? Thank you very much, if you send me your email I could show you how already in February it lost almost all of its foliage, thank you very much once again by the way I am from Buenos Aires
Hello Hector.
Yes it's normal. The Magnolia liliiflora is deciduous, it loses its leaves in autumn-winter.
Don't worry. 🙂
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have a White Magnolia that is over 50 years old, but in recent years its leaves have been falling a lot and it has dry branches. Is it normal or is something missing? and I also have a tulip magnolia about 8 years old but it is not giving many flowers. less and more girls, I'm afraid I'm dying. What am I wrong?
Thank you.
nora
Hello Monica: I have a liliflora 3 meters high and I want to transplant it. When can I do it and what precautions should I take into account
regards
Hello Natalia.
You can transplant it in late winter. You just have to be careful not to manipulate its roots too much 🙂
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I bought a small dark pink magnolia liliflora tree about 1.30 tall. In the photo it had many flowers, but it turns out that when they brought it to me it was absolutely bare. I thought it was dry, but when I scrape it a bit it is green and has some sprouts. I would like to know how long it takes to give flowers. Thank you very much, greetings,
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia.
The normal thing is that with that height it does not give flowers, or that it gives them a year yes and a few others no. It's very young.
In order for it to bloom strongly and every year it must be at least 4 meters tall, and for that it may take 5-6 years or so.
A greeting.
Hello good night, about three months ago I planted a purple magnolia or liliflora in the ground and about two or three weeks ago it began to lose leaves, where they previously turned yellow. Also the leaves that are green have dark spots. I am from Paraná Argentina and at this time we are ending spring and in 20 days we enter summer. Which may be? Thanks a lot
Hi luciano.
First you have to know what type of land you have. The Magnolia is a plant that does not grow in clay soils; in them the leaves turn yellow, leaving the nerves of the same green until they finally run out of leaves.
On the other hand, the irrigation water must be rain, suitable for human consumption or acidic, because if it has a lot of lime it also harms it.
Where do you have it? If the sun hits it at any time, its leaves will burn and fall, which is why it is best to keep it in semi-shade.
Greetings.