Types of magnolias: 15 best varieties with descriptions and characteristics + photo

Blossoming magnolias always attract the eyes of passers-by, because they are literally strewn with bright flowers of a large enough size, which makes them incredibly attractive. Magnoliaceae have a rather extensive genus, numbering more than a dozen species. Therefore, every gardener will be able to choose a plant that suits him.

Description

Magnolia is a tree or large shrub of the Magnolia family with evergreen or falling, entire leaves.

Magnolia flowers are solitary, bisexual with a bright pleasant aroma. They can be axillary or terminal.The diameter of the flowers is from 6 to 35 cm. The petals are arranged in one row, imbricately overlapping each other. Magnolia blooms in early spring, but there are species that bloom only by early summer.

The fruits of the plant have a shape similar to a cone, which consists of leaflets with seeds. After the fruits open, the black seeds hang down on the seed threads.

Possible plant colors

Magnolia flowers range from white and soft pink to rich pink and purple. The range of shades between these colors seems inexhaustible. There are also blue-green flowers, but they do not stand out much between the foliage. You can rarely see yellowish shades of magnolias.

Popular varieties and varieties

For every garden with any area and plants there is a suitable variety of magnolia. Although they can be very different from each other, but all species are united by extraordinary beauty and attractiveness.

Interesting to know! Scientists believe that magnolia appeared during the reign of dinosaurs on earth.

Large-flowered

In nature grows in the territories of North America. This is an evergreen tree species that can tolerate frosts down to -30 ° C. It has large white flowers up to 25 cm in diameter and no less large cone-shaped fruits with a bright color.

The tree grows slowly at first, but accelerates over time and can grow up to 60 cm annually. Prefers rich sandy soil. Large-flowered magnolia tolerates city conditions well.

Star-shaped

The birthplace of this variety is Japan. It is a deciduous small tree or shrub with a spherical crown. The flowers are up to 10 cm in diameter. They have elongated, ribbon-like white petals that resemble "stars".

This species starts flowering earlier than others. The star magnolia blooms long before the leaves appear on the branches.

Kobus

Magnolia Kobus comes from North and Central Japan or South Korea. In nature, it grows along mountain rivers. A deciduous tree with a narrow pyramidal, pointed crown at a young age, becoming broader and more rounded with age.

The foliage of the plant is darker above than below. The flowers are milky white, up to 10 cm in diameter. The flowering of the plant begins at the 8-15th year of life. Blooms in early spring, before foliage appears.

This variety is hardy and one of the fastest growing magnolias.

Siebold

This species is distinguished by its low growth, which ranges from 3.5 to 4 m. The flowers are highly decorative. Against the white background of the flower, the stamen of a crimson hue stands out brightly. The buds on the plant begin to appear in late spring - early summer.

Siebold loves well-drained, well-drained soil. Easily tolerates cold, but does not respond well to late frosts. Does not like open sunny areas, gets burns from direct sunlight.

Grandiflora

Large evergreen tree with dark, dense foliage sticking out in different directions. The leaves are up to 25 cm long and about 12 cm wide. Grandiflora flowers are located singly at the ends of the shoots, 25 cm in diameter. In one flower there are from 6 to 12 petals, the width of which reaches 5 cm. White flowers in the middle are purple-purple with a yellow stamen . They have a bright pleasant aroma.

Flowering begins in May and continues until October, and sometimes until November. "Cones" with red seeds are decorative.

Stellata

One of the earliest flowering varieties. The tree is deciduous, growing no higher than 3-4 m. The flowering is plentiful, with large pure white flowers 8-10 cm in diameter. The petals are ribbon-like, long, up to 1 cm wide. They have a pleasant aroma. The flowering period comes in April or May.

Elliptical or reverse elliptical foliage, arranged alternately. The size of the leaves is 5-6 cm. The plant is slow-growing. The annual growth of Stellata is 15 cm.

Betty

Deciduous shrub up to 4 m high, with a rounded crown. Flowering occurs before foliage appears from April to early July. The flowers are large, up to 20 cm in diameter, white-pink inside and purple-red outside. The petals are narrow, slightly curled.

Betty variety prefers sunny or semi-shady areas, protected from the wind. With proper care, it tolerates cold well.

Virgin

Semi-evergreen deciduous tree growing up to 20 m in height. The foliage is glossy green above, grayish-blue or whitish below, silky-velvety. Flowering is not plentiful, but long. The flowers are milky white in color with a slight pleasant aroma.Many connoisseurs consider its smell to be the best among magnolias.

Virginia magnolia prefers marshy environments, which is not typical for magnolias. Can grow in full sun or shade, but grows best in partial shade. The plant is frost-resistant, can withstand frosts down to -25 ° C. Can withstand brief overnight frost down to -30°C.

Jenny

The maximum height of this variety is 3 m. The flowers are ruby red, have the shape of a tulip, which gradually opens, forming a rounded shape. Flowering occurs in April-May and lasts about a month. Toward the end of summer, Jenny's magnolia blooms again with the same abundance of flowers as the first time.

This variety thrives best in sunny, sheltered areas. Handles winter well.

Three-petaled

The three-leaf or umbrella magnolia is distinguished by its large-leaved. Its leaves reach 60 cm in length, they have an obovate elongated shape, collected at the tips of the shoots form "umbrellas".

Flowers are creamy white, up to 25 cm in diameter, with a strongly pronounced unpleasant odor that attracts beetles, which pollinate the plant. The variety blooms from mid-May to early June, on average this period is 20 days. The three-petalled magnolia is winter-hardy, but still needs shelter for the winter.

Large-leaved

Large-leaved magnolia comes from the southwestern regions of North America. It is a tree reaching 18 m in height. The crown is tent-shaped with heavy foliage from 80 cm long with wavy edges. Two year old twigs are reddish brown before turning gray.

The flowers of this variety are also large, up to 30 cm in diameter. At first they have a milky white color, and over time they change shade to ivory. The flowers have characteristic purple spots. The fruit is purple-pink, up to 8 cm in size.

Pointed

The young tree has a slender broad pyramidal rounded crown. The height of the plant reaches 30 m, the width of the crown is up to 18 m. In old age, the thickness of the trunk is 120 cm in diameter. The flowers of this magnolia are small, only 5-7 cm. They are bell-shaped, the color is yellowish-green with a bluish bloom.

This species is also called cucumber, and all because of its fruits, which, when unripe, are green and have a shape similar to cucumbers. Their size is 5-7 cm.

Esha

Ash's magnolia is considered a rare species, grows in America in the state of Florida. It grows up to 8 m. It is a deciduous tree with large leaves. From above, they have a glossy surface of green or silver-gray color. Blooms after foliage appears. Creamy flowers with a citrus scent. Their diameter is 20-30 cm. The variety begins to bloom in the 4th-5th year.

Grows best in full sun or partial shade. Prefers drained acid-neutral soil. Does not tolerate stagnant water.

Criteria for variety selection

The success of growing magnolias largely depends on how well its variety is selected. When choosing a species, you need to pay attention not only to the beauty of its flowers, but also to other criteria. Consider:

• height and crown width of the plant;
• frost resistance level;
• the quality of the soil where the plant will be planted;
• care conditions for a particular variety.

Magnolia in landscape design

In landscape design, beautifully flowering trees always occupy a dominant place, and magnolias are among them. Look great in various compositions undersized bush or tree magnolias, such as Rosea, Siebold or Star.

Magnolia looks advantageous against the backdrop of city buildings, and in the countryside, in park areas and flower beds. They blend beautifully with other trees and shrubs, creating landscapes that are impossible to pass by without noticing them.

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