Main varieties of Magnolias

Magnolia x soulangeana in garden

Magnolia x soulangean

Magnolias are characterized by having large flowers, about 5-10cm in diameter, very decorative. They withstand intense frosts, and can grow well in places sheltered from direct sun. Its growth rate is rather slow, but ... who doesn't want to wait a bit to see its precious petals?

Let's get to know the main varieties of Magnolias.

Magnolia types

Magnolias are trees or shrubs native to Asia, except for one species that is American which is one of the few evergreen. All of them produce large, colorful flowers, so it is not surprising that they are grown in gardens, patios and terraces.

Let's see which are the best known varieties:

denuded magnolia

Magnolia denudata is a deciduous tree

Image - Flickr / Kai Yan, Joseph Wong

La denuded magnolia It is a very branchy deciduous tree native to eastern and central China. It grows to a height of 15 meters, and develops a rounded crown with oval leaves up to 15 centimeters long by 8 centimeters wide. Its flowers are white, and very fragrant. It lives in full sun, but if it is very strong, as in the Mediterranean, it is better to have it in semi-shade.

magnolia grandiflora

magnolia grandiflora

La magnolia grandiflora it is an evergreen tree that can reach the 35 meters tall. The flowers are very large, up to 30cm in diameter, and give off a very pleasant aroma. But you have to be patient, it can take more than 10 years to flourish.

magnolia liliflora

Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'

La magnolia liliflora grows up to 4 meters tall approximately. It is deciduous, and has large aromatic pink flowers that sprout very early in spring. It grows in semi-shade, but can tolerate a few hours of direct light if it is not very intense.

Magnolia sieboldii

Magnolia sieboldii

La Magnolia sieboldii is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 5-7 meters tall. It has evergreen leaves, and white flowers that measure around 8cm in diameter. Unlike other Magnolia species, the M.sieboldii blooms in early summer. It grows in semi-shade.

Starry magnolia

Starry magnolia

La Starry magnolia it is a bush that grows up to 2-3 meters tall. It has deciduous leaves, and white flowers that give off a very pleasant aroma. It grows in places protected from the sun, either in the garden or in a pot.

Magnolia x soulangean

Magnolia x soulangean

And we end with the Magnolia x soulangean, which in recent times is becoming very popular. This species grows in places protected from direct sun, and can reach up to 6 meters in height. It has deciduous leaves and large aromatic white flowers, and pink at the base. It grows in the sun or in semi-shade.

What is the care of the magnolia?

Would you like to grow one? In order for them to grow well they need a temperate-cold climate and acidic soil, with a pH between 4 and 6. In this way, you can enjoy its beautiful flowers every year 🙂. But if you want to know more, write down these tips that we offer below:

Location

Where to put it? Well It will depend a bit on the weather and the degree of insolation. If the region where you live is temperate (temperatures between 30 degrees maximum and up to -18ºC), with high humidity and the degree of insolation is low, then it will be fine in the sun.

On the other hand, if the area is temperate to warm (temperatures of 40 degrees maximum and with frosts in winter) and the degree of insolation is high, as occurs in the entire Mediterranean region for example, then it is better to be in semi-shade.

Even so, in case of doubt it is highly recommended to put it in a bright area but protected from the star king. In this way, you make sure that the plant will grow well without having to expose it to something that you do not know if it will be able to get used to or not. For example, I myself have a magnolia grandiflora The one that does not get the sun at any time, and yet it blooms every year, so don't worry too much about the location (as long as it is outside).

Earth

  • Garden: the earth must be rich in organic matter and from acidic to slightly acidic.
  • Flower pot: the substrate must be specific for acid plants (for sale here), but if the climate is rather warm it is preferable to mix 70% of akadama with 30% kiryuzuna.
    The pot must have holes in its base for water drainage.

Irrigation

Magnolias are precious trees

Irrigation must be moderate to frequent. Use rainwater or lime-free water for this, since otherwise its leaves will yellow and fall before their time.

If you have it in a pot, you can put a plate under it during the summer, especially if in your area this season is very hot and dry, with temperatures of 30ºC or more.

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Throughout the spring and summer It is highly recommended to fertilize it with a fertilizer for acid plants, always following the indications specified on the package. You can also use organic fertilizers, such as guano, but DO NOT mix them: use one month one and the next month another.

Pruning

The magnolia or magnolia is a plant that should not be pruned; If a case, cut off the dry, diseased or weak branches in late winter, but you don't really need more.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds in winter, cuttings in spring, layering in early spring and cultivars by grafting also in spring.

Planting or transplanting time

Late winter, when there is no longer a risk of frost.

Rusticity

It depends on the species, but in general, they all withstand frosts down to -18ºC well.. Of course, they cannot live in tropical or subtropical climates, since they need it to be cold in winter. In fact, in my area with annual minimum temperatures of up to -1ºC, the only species that really does well -and in a pot, because having clay soil would be unfeasible- is the magnolia grandiflora, which is a species that is more used to somewhat milder climates than Asian varieties.

What is the difference between magnolia and magnolia?

Magnolia is a slow growing tree

There is a lot of confusion between those two terms: are they the same or two different plants? Well, the truth is that there are opinions for all tastes: some say that magnolia is the tree and magnolia is the flower; others instead use both words to refer to the plant ...

What is clear is that Magnolia, with the capital "m", is the name of the botanical genus to which they belong, so it makes sense that it is used to refer to the plant.

Which variety of Magnolia did you like the most?


2 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Paula said

    Hi!

    I really liked your article
    I live in the Community of Valencia, specifically on the coast, so high ambient humidity, but I imagine that here the temperatures can get, as we are now, quite high, sometimes rolling around 38 or 0 degrees.
    On top of that, my plot has a lot of sun, is it recommended then in semi-shade?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Paula.
      Thank you, we are glad to know that you liked the article.
      Yes, with these conditions it is best to be in semi-shade or even shade. By the way, and from my own experience, if you want a magnolia, get one magnolia grandiflora, since it withstands the heat better. The others - mostly Asian and deciduous - find it much more difficult to live in the Mediterranean.
      A greeting.