TREE OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2016 MAGNOLIA

image By Schwäbin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Starting a new 'Tree of the Month' feature in April, it is difficult to look further than the Magnolias which have been unmissable in their showy exuberance hereabouts for several weeks now. In fact the Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) here at Hearne Arboriculture HQ (see below) could have made it into a February Tree of the Month feature had we had one at the time (everything seems early this year) - and it's still going strong today - 28 April. That's good value. There is a terrific variety too, from the smaller species ideal for small gardens, to those reaching almost forest tree proportions; they can be pure whites or creams and shades of pink through to purples - even an orange. Buddhist monks planted Magnolia denudata and liliiflora at least 2000 years ago as symbols of purity and these are the species most commonly depicted in Chinese paintings. The only slight downside is that those flowering early can be at risk from wind or late frost damage and a sheltered spot might be prudent if you have one.

Named by Linnaeus in honour of Pierre Magnol, a professor of botany and medicine in Montpelier, the Magnolias are native from the Himalayas to Japan and Malaysia and from south east USA to Brazil.  There are some 120 species, at least 45 of which are threatened in the wild - the reasons being that they are prized for their wood and medicinal properties, particularly ancient Chinese remedies, where they are valued for treating an assortment of ailments of mainly digestive or respiratory natures, but also (and this is perhaps its downfall) as an aphrodisiac. They are some of the most primitive trees around today (not in the derogatory sense of course), and would have been recognisable more than 95 million years ago. The earliest flowering angiosperm fossils are waterlilies and Magnolias are of similar antiquity. Fairly typically for such primitive plants, the flowers are large, simply coloured and upward facing - a generalist strategy to attract a wide range of insects to disseminate the pollen in the hope that a few will go on to land on another flower of the right species. Some plants may evolve to leave less to chance and form intimate relationships with fewer animals, but playing the numbers game clearly worked for Magnolias.

The Magnolias prefer moist but well drained soil, preferably somewhat acid, in sun or partial shade. Some of them will tolerate Lime, but most won't. Care is needed when planting as the fleshy roots can be damaged and decay when the tree is dormant. Planting is best done so that any wounds can begin healing, and new roots formed, straight away - May is said to be a suitable month.

Magnolia stellata at Hearne HQ here in Dorset. A very long and stunning display this year.

Pink variety M. stellata 'Rosea' - image from By Alpsdake (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Above left is the Star Magnolia, or Shidekobushi (M. stellata) here at Hearne HQ. Native to the hills, valley plains, riverbeds and shallow gorges of Japan, it is threatened in the wild from indiscriminate commercial collection and encroaching land development. Its 12-18 white strap shaped petals and sepals are almost indistinguishable, and collectively are called tepals. Introduced to Britain in 1877, it is one of the earliest to flower, in March and April, but ours started in February this year. It forms a compact rounded plant of not more than 3 to 5m in height and must be on everyone's short list for a small garden. The early flowers can be damaged by wind or frost, but they are soon succeeded by more. W J Bean recommends an underplanting of Grape Hyacynth which flowers at the same time. We have a deep red Hellebore which would be just as effective if only we had more of them.

Magnolia denudata. Image by Fanghong (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Magnolia liliiflora, native of China but introduced from Japan where it was in cultivation. Image By Kurt Stueber, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yulan (Magnolia denudata) is a native of China where it has been cultivated for perhaps two thousand years and was commonly planted by temples and in Imperial gardens. It was introduced in 1879 and has pure creamy fragrant white flowers which can unfortunately suffer occasionally in the variable British spring. The flowers will respond quickly to late February or March warmth, only to be trapped by a late frost. Nevertheless it is otherwise a reliable flowerer, but best in full sun. It forms a rounded tree of about 10m height. The most common Yulan hybrid is Magnolia x soulangeana (M. liliflora x M. denudata), bred in France by Chevalier Soulange Bodin. Rose pink tepals fade to pale pink with a magenta stripe - I have seen the compact 'Heaven Scent' form planted to great effect in the London streets, an inspired choice by Westminster Council's tree guru Paul Akers.

Magnolia x soulangeana. Image By Berthold Werner (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Magnolia grandiflora typically grown against a sunny wall - Lanhydrock - Cornwall

The enormous white flowers and large glossy leaves of the Evergreen Magnolia (M. grandiflora) . Image by Anna Anichkova (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons

No Magnolia blog can omit the Evergreen or Great-Flowered Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora - a magnificent tree which can get up to about 20m high in warmer climates, with great cream chalice flowers giving a spicy lemon scent from early July until the first frosts, sometimes well into November. It has leathery glossy leaves up to 25cm long. Native of SE USA it was introduced in the early eighteenth century and is generally at its best in this country as a wall shrub where it can spread over two or three stories. Author and gardener Christopher Lloyd describes it as the 'kind of shrub for whose sake any outmoded old parsonage, however riddled with dry rot and beetle, should be acquired with enthusiastic pride. If the owner starts enquiring "how should I prune my Magnolia?" a preservation order, to include every twig, must be served on him forthwith. He should be grateful for being allowed to live in permanently darkened rooms, when the darkness springs from so august an umbrage'. Vegetatively propagated cultivars and hybrids such as 'Goliath' are precocious flowerers, but you will wait many years for flowers if grown from seed.

Magnolia kobus. Reaches 70ft in Japan but 30-40ft here in Britain. Flowers March to April and tolerates Lime. Image By Kurt Stüber via Wikimedia Commons

Magnolia x loebneri (hybrid M. stellata x M. kobus. Tolerates lime. Image By Sten Porse , via Wikimedia Commons

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). Scented flowers from June to September and up to 30ft tall. Native to eastern USA, often in swampy areas but an early introduction and is known to have been cultivated by Bishop Compton at Fulham Palace Garden at the end of the 17th century. Photo by Derek Ramsey at the Chanticleer Garden. , via Wikimedia Commons

Magnolia hypoleuca (syn.obovata). 8 inch flowers in June, the fruit a brilliant red. Native of Japan where it is valued for its light easily worked wood. Image By Qwert1234 via Wikimedia Commons

More Magnolias to follow. We'd love to have your pictures too.