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Enjoy Magnolias

Anthony Aiello

The Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture and Curator

Enjoying magnolias (Magnolia) in bloom is one of my favorite parts of spring. These small to medium-sized flowering trees are one of the most diverse groups of ornamental trees in our area. Their flower displays are useful for landscapes of all scales and sizes and help make spring the spectacle that we know and love. The Arboretum has around 100 types of magnolias, and April to early May is the best time to enjoy their beautiful and wonderfully fragrant flowers.

It has been said of magnolias, “No other genus of hardy trees …can boast so many excellences.” The name Magnolia honors Pierre Magnol, a renowned French botanist (1638–1715) who developed the concept of plant families. Magnolias are native to the north tropical and temperate regions of the world, with a number of species from eastern North America and the greatest diversity from Asia. There are a huge number of magnolia varieties, with a society dedicated to their propagation, promotion, and dissemination. Regardless of their ultimate size or flower color, magnolias prefer moist and well-drained somewhat acidic soil, and full sun. They do not tolerate “wet feet” or shade. They grow best when planted in the spring and surrounded by a mulch ring to minimize competition from turfgrass and lawn mowers. Magnolias are relatively disease free although they can suffer from scale insect infestations when under stress.

With so many beautiful varieties of magnolia it is difficult to recommend just a few, but here are some to get you started:

• Magnolia stellata (star magnolia – pictured right): flowers in April and is perfect for small gardens, grows to 15-20 feet. The species has white flowers while the variety ‘Centennial’ has multiple white petals tinged slightly with pink.

• Magnolia ‘Galaxy’: an excellent deep purple-pink flowered magnolia that flowers in April. This is a more
vigorous plant, reaching about 25 feet in 25 years.

• Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Elizabeth’: yellow flowered-magnolias are in vogue these days, and these are two of the best. ‘Elizabeth’ will grow up to 45 feet with ‘Butterflies’ being smaller. Both bloom in late April to early May.

• Magnolia sieboldii (Oyama magnolia): an Asian species that blooms from late May into June. A vase-
shaped multi-stemmed tree, that reaches about 20 feet. It has beautiful egg-shaped flower buds that open to a pure white with purple-burgundy flower parts. This is one of my favorites!

We are fortunate in the Delaware Valley to be able to grow such a wealth of magnolias. Their charms are numerous and they are one of the best trees to have in the garden. I hope our collection inspires you to add one to your own garden.

Magnolia virginiana