Saucer Magnolia

Saucer Magnolia Care

Magnolia X Soulangeana

What is the plant

Magnolia × soulangeana, the saucer magnolia, is a hybrid plant in the genus Magnolia and family Magnoliaceae. It is a deciduous tree with large, early-blooming flowers in various shades of white, pink, and purple. It is one of the most commonly used magnolias in horticulture, being widely planted in the British Isles, especially in the south of England; and in the United States, especially the east.

Magnolia × soulangeana was initially bred by French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin (1774–1846), a retired cavalry officer in Napoleon's army, at his château de Fromont near Paris. He crossed Magnolia denudata with M. liliiflora in 1820, and was impressed with the resulting progeny's first precocious flowering in 1826.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

10°C - 14°C

Hardiness zone

4 - 9

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
During the first year of planting, water the tree deeply and frequently. Afterward, saucer magnolias need irrigation only when the weather is dry. Once established, these trees have a moderately good tolerance for drought.
Pruning
Saucer magnolia trees often produce multiple stems. To shape it into a tree form, prune away all but one stem to serve as a dominant trunk. Such drastic pruning should be done while the tree is still young. You may also shape the crown in later years by pruning lightly after the flowering period. Remove any dead or diseased branches as you see them, preferably in dry weather when fungi are less likely to infect pruning wounds.
Fertilizer
Magnolias are not heavy feeders, but they benefit from mixing fertilizer into the soil when planting, then lightly feeding them each spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. For annual spring feeding, do not mix the fertilizer into the soil, but rather spread it over the surface around the plant, then water it in.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Magnolias prefer full sun to light shade. If you live in a particularly warm or dry climate, your magnolia might benefit from a location shaded from the hot afternoon sun. If possible, avoid exposed, windy locations because strong winds can damage large flowers and the typically brittle branches.
Soil
Magnolias prefer a moist, well-drained soil which is rich in organic matter, so it is well worth adding some well-rotted manure or compost to the planting hole, mixing it thoroughly and deeply. Most magnolias will thrive on a neutral or slightly acid soil, with a pH of around 5.5 – 6.5.
Temperature
Its large glossy green leaves and showy white summer flowers make it a popular ornamental in warm climates. If winter temperatures drop between 20 to -10° F damage or mortality can occur. Damage generally occurs below 0° F. Magnolia grows best in acidic (pH 5.0 to 6.0) well drained, loamy, moist, rich soils.

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Additional
According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, the southern magnolia tree is considered to have no toxic effects on humans or animals if handled or ingested. Ingestion of the leaves, flowers or berries of the magnolia tree will not result in plant poisoning.
Popularity
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