Magnolia x Soulangeana
Picture a Magnolia in your head, I reckon most of us would see Magnolia x Soulangeana
I was forever going on as to how Magnolia would not grow in Aberdeen, if it did survive, it was a pitiful specimen. Having said that, the only one that would look fine, given a sheltered position was Stellata.
Some of my friends from the USA would get in touch to remind me as to how much colder the Winters were on their side of the Atlantic, and how Magnolias still thrived.
The conclusion I came to, although never confirmed, was, how much cooler our Summer months were in Aberdeen, compared to the USA, and although Magnolia is generally a Spring flowering shrub/tree I am positive therein lies the problem.
Well, sadly to say, we are no longer in Aberdeen, well its not all bad news, as we are in the wonderful fertile, wet land of Cheshire, where Summer is warmer and the Magnolias are blooming there heart out in abundance at the moment.
Strangely enough, not in our garden, every time I think a spot in the garden is ideal for one, we end up planting something else.
The Magnolia x Soulangeana, pictures above, is blooming away nicely in our daughters garden, they live just around the corner, so I have claimed it as mine, as their interest in gardening is very limited, at the moment. I seem to be doing a lot of this claiming stuff recently.
Well anyway, lets concentrate on this beautiful Magnolia, which, since moving into their house about six years ago has been looking rather peaky. Until, last Spring, I tidied up the border and gave it a good deep mulch of ericaceous compost. This Spring, what a difference, smothered in healthy blooms.
Magnolia x Soulangeana is a hybrid crossed with M Denudata and M Lilliflora, bred by the French plantsman Etienne Soulange-Bodin in 1820.
Before the leaves appear, the creamy white cup shaped blooms with a splash of lilac/pink open up with all their grace in April giving a breathtaking display for several weeks.
Remaining shrub like for many years this Magnolia can have pride and place as a central specimen in all but the very smallest of gardens. When eventually it becomes tree size the height can reach 6m/20ft.
Pruning, other than cutting off wayward branches after flowers have gone over isn’t recommended.
Hardiness *** Fully hardy
Position *** Full sun/partial shade
Soil *** Clay/loam acid/neutral moist but well draining
Height *** 6m/20ft after many years
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The garden is starting to come alive. The front and back are all well planted up to hopefully give a good show in Summer. I think we need to add a little more Spring interest for next year.
The Daffodil Lotherio above has been giving a good show since the end of March. A bit taller than the 16″ described on the label
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Salome, now she is a beauty, looking at their best for the first ten days or so when the short trumpets are a buttery yellow. As they age the trumpets then turn a peachy pink, which some may actually prefer. Great Daff 14″ tall and very sturdy stems.
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Daffodil/Narcissus never sure how to refer to some of these, however the multi headed Pipit is very appealing.
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Tresamble has two white blooms on each stem. These ones growing in a tub will definitely be planted out in the garden later on.
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Daff Reggae, we had this one in Aberdeen, a favourite of Myras. The blooms have a nodding habit, appears to be a weak plant when the blooms first open, soon settles down and becomes another charming addition to the collection.
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After planting up these tubs last October, the Squirrels never left them alone, I have been really surprised as to how good the show has been.
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Well, I was pretty sure I had kept all the labels, cant find one that matches this tulip though.
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We have a few of these Brunerra Jack Frost which were lifted from our Aberdeen garden, no way were they staying behind.
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Good to see the back garden coming to life.
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The woodland path now has a good mulch of bark. I didnt put a membrane under this as I couldnt afford to reduce the drainage as it gets very boggy in Winter.
Sunil, Its time that I found a place in our garden for one.
Hello Alistair, we’re after a specimen Magnolia x Soulangeana to be the centre-piece of a large border that I’m in the middle of digging. There are many magnolias around us ranging in all sizes from small shrubs to large trees whose display is utterly jaw-dropping. I want a piece of the action too!
Magnolias certainly are abundant in the area Rick. Last September we removed a huge Lime tree from the front garden, it was so out of place, I dont think I would have been so keen to remove a Magnolia though.
Hi Alistair, your garden is really taking shape, I look forward to your summer display. We are surrounded by Magnolias here in every colour form including Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Nigra’ the deep red form which along with Magnolia x soulangeana were pretty much the only ones readily available locally 40 years ago. If you take a drive round the area there are some really substantial specimens, nearly every garden has one including one garden where the tree dominates. Planted dead centre in the lawn it fills the front garden, a bit too much of a price to pay methinks for a few weeks of beautiful flowers.
Hi Sue, I would be at a total loss without having gardens to care for.
Hi Alsastair, good to see you thriving in your transplanted site. I’m not familiar with that particular Magnolia. The ones we have here are M. grandiflora and M. stellata. They do well here too, so I guess they do like a bit of summer warmth. You must be very busy, and happy, having two gardens. And it must be convenient for your daughter, to have her own personal gardener!
Thanks Donna, our daughter and grandson are just back from, a week in New York. She says its good to let him have experience of other parts of the world. Ha! when I was his age a week in a mobile home 15 miles away was the event of the year.
Alistair, I also love to look at magnolias but with our crazy spring, I will not take a chance…I love your spring blooms and especially the container display is spectacular.
Hello Anne, appreciate you visit and comments. The topiary was shaped when we purchased them.
Really enjoy your posts.
I followed your house move with interest as after having lived in Aberdeenshire for 28 years,after retirement we(husband,myself and little dog)moved to Elgin. As I come from Lossiemouth it was almost back to my roots.
We have never looked back and are really enjoying it.Our last garden was quite large and had become all labour plus we had huge conifer trees surrounding our back garden.
Our new garden is smaller and more manageable and leaves more time to enjoy it.
I often look at photos of your Aberdeen garden for inspiration as you had so much in it. I do it now with your new garden.
Did you cloud prune your bushes yourself.? Looks really nice.
Hi Helene, my daughters Magnolia is the original hybrid which was named Magnolia x Soulangeana, I know there are several others hybridised later such as heaven scent, and alba etc. Oh no, I am so disappointed to hear of your current predicament, its a stressful time as it is without this happening. Hope you soon return to your usual self.
Pam, Tresamble is a beauty which I will be sure to keep, a very happy Spring to you also. Our daughter and grandson have just returned from a week in New York, just in time to see her Magnolia which will receive a shrug of the shoulders and an al-right, I suppose.
Wow, Alistair, your spring garden is stunning! Love Tresamble and want one. I’m sure your attention to the magnolia did the trick! Your daughter must be thrilled. Happy, happy spring! P. x
My magnolia soulangeana ‘Heaven Scent’ has been with me for 3 years now, still growing in a container, and flowered beautifully again last month. However, being 3m tall now (single stemmed), I think it will appreciate me moving house and hopefully giving it a permanent place in the ground. Do you know what type your daughter’s magnolia is? I bought mine with a promise of exquisite scent, but it has no scent at all, the only disappointing part of it…does your daughter’s have scented flowers? Maybe it will come when mine is older?
Good to see your garden taking shape, the bark on the path was a good idea, I have 13 years of experience with bark in all the beds in my own garden and I can only say it does wonder for the soil as long as it gets topped up regularly.
On a final note, moving house and garden has turned out to be more complicated than I had anticipated, I am currently in hospital with a dislocated hip replacement and have no idea what to do next.
Annette, Although I did see Stellata growing well in more central town parts of Aberdeen, we never had success with it in our garden
A useful post for me Alistair as I have been wondering whether I should get a Magnolia. I don’t actually think I have a sheltered enough place for one as the whole garden is quite windy. Do you know if a Stellata would grow in a pot? Love your woodland path.
Hi Angie,
Surprised to hear you have been having frosts in Edinburgh. I don’t think we have – or maybe I haven’t been getting up early enough to notice!
Cheshire does do Spring well Angie. The topiary which came with us from Aberdeen struggled for a while in the very different soil conditions, seems to have settled down nicely.
No chance of such rapid growth here Deb, unless someone out there can tell me differently. Starting to find relaxation a lot easier these days.
Our magnolia took less than five years to grow to twenty feet! This year the blooms were wonderful and lasted for weeks, escaping late frosts that often spoil the spring blooms. I love the photo of the long view of your back garden. It must be a great place to relax, though you probably can’t sit long before being enticed into pulling weeds or some other garden chore. Happy spring!
Magnolia envy here Alistair! I’m sure your daughter is much appreciative of the extra tlc you’ve given the Magnolia. I only grow M. stellata, as you did in Aberdeen but it would be great to have one of the other species.
Your garden is looking great you really have made it your own in such a short time, the topiary is looking wonderful and makes a real statement along the trellising. We’ve had frost this last 3 mornings, I bet you don’t miss that! Chesire does spring well, doesn’t it?