Magnolia 'Susan'is one of the popular varieties of magnolia, ideal for small gardens. This valuable shrub is valued for its dazzling appearance, ease of cultivation and high frost resistance. Find out more about the benefits of this plant and see whatGrowing Magnolia 'Susan'looks like in the garden and in a pot. We explainwhen the magnolia 'Susan' bloomsand how to care for it properly.
Magnolia 'Susan'
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Magnolia Susan - appearance description
Magnolia 'Susan'is a variety selected in the 1950s in the USA at the National Arboretum in Washington.As a result of crossing purple magnolia and star magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora x Magnolia stellata), 8 compact, short, frost-resistant, early-flowering red-flower varieties were created. Among them is the magnolia 'Susan'.
Magnolia 'Susan' is a short shrubgrows up to 3 m high with a compact, regular habit. Flower buds (large and quite thick) set in summer develop in the following year from mid-April, even before the leaves appear. In August, the magnolia 'Susan' repeats flowering frequently.Magnolia flowers 'Susan'are large (up to 15 cm in diameter) purple on the outside and lighter on the inside. In May, towards the end of flowering, the ovate, rather large, leathery leaves of the magnolia 'Susan' develop.
Magnolia Susan - when it blooms
Magnolia 'Susan' blooms most often in the 2nd - 4th year of growing . Therefore, let's not worry if it does not bloom in the first or second year after planting. You just have to wait for its first flowering.
Magnolia 'Susan'
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The exactflowering date of the magnolia 'Susan'obviously depends on the course of the weather in a given year. Typically, however, the magnolia 'Susan' begins flowering around April 15, when its leaves are still missing. Full flowering occurs at the turn of April and May. Flowering ends at the end of May, when there are already a lot of leaves on its shoots.
It happens that despite our effortsmagnolia 'Susan' does not bloomThe most common reasons for the lack of magnolia flowers are: freezing, incorrect fertilization (e.g. nitrogen fertilization in the fall, which makes it difficult for the plant to overwinter) , too alkaline substrate or improperly cut magnolia (e.g. made in early spring, before flowering). How to properly care for all these elements and make the magnolia bloom profusely, we explain later in the article.
Magnolia Susan - cultivation and requirements
Magnolia Susan grows bestin warm, sheltered and sunny places. The soil should be humus, fertile, well-drained, moist, slightly acidic (pH 5.0-6.0). Magnolia Susan does not tolerate heavy, waterlogged and alkaline soils.
Magnolia Susan - planting
Plants sold in pots can be planted both in spring and autumn. After choosing the right place, dig a hole three times larger than the root ball. The selected soil is mixed with compost or, if the soil is not acidic enough, with acid peat.The magnolia seedling 'Susan'is placed in the hole so that the root collar is a few cm above the ground.Then we water the plant thoroughly to let the soil settle. We do not compact the substrate so as not to damage the delicate roots. Finally, we mulch the soil with materials such as e.g.pine bark. Such mulch will help to keep moisture in the soil, it is a thermal insulation material and acidifies the soil. If we use mycorrhiza beforehand, our plants will be more resistant to stresses related to improper soil pH or insufficient amount of water.
Magnolia 'Susan'
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Magnolia Susan - watering
Magnolia has high water requirements. During the first 3 years after planting, it is necessary to maintain a constant moisture content in the substrate. So we water the plants regularly, but not too abundantly. Both over-watering and overdrying can destroy young magnolia. Water used for watering should not be cold. It is best if it is wet or rainwater.
Magnolia Susan - fertilization
If the soil was adequately fertile when planted, the Magnolia 'Susan' will not need fertilization for the first two years after planting.Starting from the third year, the plant should be regularly fed with multi-component mineral fertilizers for flowering shrubs or those prepared especially for magnolias. Perfect for example fertilizer for magnolias with microelements. We use the fertilizer 2-3 times a season, starting from March and ending in autumn. We finish nitrogen fertilization in mid-July. Subsequent use of nitrogen-containing fertilizersreduces the frost resistance of magnoliaSince the end of summer, we have been using autumn fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen, but are rich in phosphorus and potassium.
Magnolia Susan - wintering
Althoughmagnolia 'Susan' is frost-resistant(it belongs to the plant frost-resistance zone 6A), it will certainly not hurt them to cover young plants. A simple method is to make a mound of compost or composted pine bark 20-30 cm at the base of the trunk. The soil around the plant should also be mulched.We do it in late autumn, after the ground freezes slightly - this is the only way to be sure that rodents will not be able to make a lair for themselves in the litter. The tree trunk should be wrapped with straw or reed mats, and the crown with white agrotextile. With age, magnolia becomes less susceptible to frost damage and does not need to be protected for the winter.
Magnolia Susan - pruning
Magnolias react poorly to pruning. The exception is the 'Susan' variety. Magnolia 'Susan' grows slowly, forming a nice, compact crown, so it does not need shaping. However, when it grows too wide, you can trim the protruding shoots a bit. It is also a good idea to make a sanitary pruning every year and remove diseased and broken shoots.Prune the magnolia 'Susan' in spring , preferably in May, when the plant is already blooming.
Magnolia 'Susan' in a pot
Magnolia 'Susan' is one of the best varieties of magnolia to grow in a potIf properly cared for, it can grow in a pot for at least several years.Susan's magnolia pot ' should be at least twice the size of the root ball. At its bottom, we pour a thick layer of drainage, e.g. expanded clay, and then fill it with a fertile substrate of good quality with a slightly acidic reaction. We can add hydrogel pellets to help maintain adequate humidity and provide the plant with enough water. Finally, mulch the plant with composted conifer bark or compost.
When planting the magnolia 'Susan'be careful not to damage the brittle roots. Place the pot with the magnolia 'Susan' in a sunny place.
For the first few months we water the plant 2-3 times a week to keep the soil moist, but not wet. During the flowering period, we use fertilizer for flowering shrubs every 10-14 days.We protect magnolias in a pot against the onset of wintersimilarly to plants grown in the ground. Instead of mounds and mulching, the pot is placed on a pad, e.g. made of polystyrene, and wrapped with heat-insulating material to protect the roots from frost.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
