There is probably no plant that would be as eye-catching as magnolia in spring. Old, overgrown specimens of the well-known Soulange Magnolia x Soulangeana magnolia with widely spread branches and large spherical flowers make a special impression. The first, however, is another species that blooms: the star magnolia Magnolia stellata.
Its slightly fragrant, mostly white flowers open in favorable weather as early as March, and most often in early April.At the same time, these seemingly delicate flowers easily withstand late frosts.There are also varieties with significantly improved characteristics, such as the very frost-resistant 'Royal Star' or the 'Jane Platt' with lots of pink flowers.
In recent years, the magnolia family has grown immeasurably thanks to intensive breeding work. New varieties have emerged from various species, which are commercially available as magnolia hybrids. In addition, the classic color palette has expanded to include attractive shades of yellow and dark red.In some cultivars, the color of the petals changes several times during flowering.
The special charm of early flowering magnolias is that their flowers show up before the leaves develop.Thanks to this, they are better exposed and attract more attention.The same applies to varieties bred recently. However, unlike the classic Soulange magnolias, their beauty does not fade away right after the first stronger night frost, because they develop a little later than them. Some valuable varieties, such as 'Cleopatra' and 'Genie', even bloom a second time in the summer.
If you want to plant a magnolia, you first need to think carefully about the place where it should be. Newer hybrids usually don't need as much space as most older varieties, but they also do best when planted solo.
Growing magnolia
Magnolias are valuable shrubs or trees with showy large flowers appearing in front of the leaves. It is a tall, vigorously growing shrub up to 4-5 m in height. Its flowers are large, pear-shaped, made of tepala, which are purple on the outside and white inside. The variety owes its name to the German botanist Peter Joseph Lenne.Spring care for this plant is limited only to cutting out frozen or damaged branches.The soil within the radius of the bushes is best covered with mulch, which will help to keep the soil moderately moist.
Within the crown, you shouldn't dig the soil, because magnolias have a delicate, fleshy root system that is sensitive to mechanical damage. In spring you can also sprinkle fertilizer within the radius of the crown, preferably fast-acting.
Spring care for magnolia
Magnolias prefer warm, sunny places, sheltered from strong winds and acidic (pH 5-6), humus and permeable soil. If it is alkaline or waterlogged, the plant will, unfortunately, fall ill. We can successfully plant bulbs under the magnolias.The root zone is best protected against drying with a layer of mulch, thanks to which we will avoid any maintenance work.
Basic treatments include: mulching, fertilization and frost protection. Bark will be perfect as a mulch, and in winter, do not forget to cover it with mounds of oak leaves.This will prevent the soil and roots from drying out quickly, because these plants have a very shallow root system.We supply three times a year: at the end of March, mid-April, and also at the beginning of May.
At the turn of April and May, all lovers of these plants should definitely go to Cieszyn to take a walk along the Trail of Blooming Magnolia. This annual event attracts visitors with a real attraction - a kilometer-long route leading through the streets along which these delightful shrubs bloom.
In specially designated places, you can admire the age-old specimens marked with a detailed description, incl. intermediate magnolia, star magnolia in 'Alexandrina' and 'Rustica Rubra' varieties. Magnolias came to Cieszyn around 1800 thanks to Fr. Leopold Jan Szersznik. However, it was not until the end of the 19th century that they became an ornament of the Cieszyn suburban gardens, when they were popularized by we althy townspeople. For them, magnolia was a sign of prestige and property status.
