Magnolias

EVERGREEN Magnolia grandiflora 'Goliath' Large flowers, according to Dirr up to 12" across. Magnolia grandiflora 'Hasse' Known for a more restricted, upright growth habit than the species. Our 'Hasse', planted in 1995, has begun to spread out a bit more in recent years but still maintains a relatively upright habit. Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

Outstanding selection for smaller, dense
foliage and extended period of bloom.
Our two plants are excellent in all
respects and performing as advertised.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Victoria'

Lustrous, dark green foliage. One the
hardiest cultivars of this species,
grown in the Pacific Northwest among
other places.

Magnolia virginiana 'Australis' We have two specimens on the grounds, and both are excellent landscape plants. Foliage of 'Australis' looks good right through the winter in Eastern NC, especially in protected sites. Magnolia x 'Maryland' One of two Freeman Hybrids between M.virginiana (seed parent) and
M.grandiflora (pollen parent).
Lighter green foliage than M.grandiflora
selections, especially during winter.
Flowers (early June) have the appearance
ofM. grandiflora, but are
somewhat smaller.

Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) should be regarded as one of the top four or five large tree selections for Eastern NC landscapes. This tree is generally problem-free, with outstanding landscape attributes including flowers, evergreen color and large size for sites that need something big. Amazingly - given the big target it presents high winds - M. grandiflora holds up extremely well in storms. Over the past 15 years I haven't noticed a single specimen laying on its side following a hurricane, although I'm sure it happens occasionally. Certainly, if you absolutely must have a large tree growing adjacent to your house in hurricane country, grandiflora makes a lot more sense than loblolly pine, pecan or red maple. Even if it does fail, the dense branching and foliage of southern magnolia will tend to cushion the blow as compared with the tomahawk-effect of loblolly pines, or them similar damage done by large branches from the weak-wooded and unreliable pecans and red maples. Many homeowners and landscapers object to the tough, evergreen leaves which can be dropped by southern magnolias in large quantities, and which create additional landscape maintenance. Unless the leaves are actually falling into the street and getting into the storm drain, this is an unfair criticism for such an outstanding tree. The extra work is worth it. Further, if branches are left near the ground and the area underneath the canopy is left natural and grass-free, any leaf litter that drops straight down and can simply be left there. It should be noted here that limbing up southern magnolias and the trunk results in a great deal of lawnmower abuse to the prominent surface roots which usually develop on this species. As with live oak (Quercus virginiana) the best policy with southern magnolia is probably to leave the entire area underneath the branch spread ungrassed, unplanted and mulched as needed.

Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay magnolia) is a true native and a wonderful landscape tree. (Note: As recently as the 1800s, Southern magnolia was not actually native to this area, but over time its natural range has expanded to include Eastern NC.) Best results with M. virginiana will be obtained by planting in moist (or at least not droughty) soils with shade at least part of the day. This species is residential landscapes, with less than outstanding results. frequently planted in compacted soil, full-sun sites in commercial as well as residential landscapes, with less than outstanding results.

DECIDUOUS Magnolia denudata - Yulan Magnolia Flowers often ruined by frost, but we've had good luck the past three or four years. In full bloom as of February 20 (1998). Foliage looks good through the summer, in a full sun location. Planted in 1989. Magnolia stellata - Star Magnolia Nice small tree or large shrub for Craven County Magnolia stellata'Chrysanthemumiflora' Excellent selection for dense and showy flower production. 1994. Magnolia vetchii x Magnolia iolanthe #2
Started off well after planting in 1996. Rapid growth during 1997 and 1998, but was killed back to the ground during winter of 1998-1999. Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messell' Full bloom in late February, early March in 1998. Foliage holds up well during the summer months. Mid March cold snap of 1998 has apparently killed back the tops of our two plants, which regrew from the base. None of the other deciduous magnolias were affected as badly by the winter weather of 1998. Planted in 1996. Magnolia x loebneri 'Spring Snow' Full bloom, excellent show of white flowers by early March; one of the best during 1998 and 1999. Planted in 1996 Magnolia x 'Ann'

Cold weather event froze all flowers;
light reblooming as of early April.
Scale and powdery mildew were
serious problems on our during 1996 and
1997, but the scale appear to be gone as
of 1999. Planted in 1995.

Magnolia x 'Daybreak' Planted in 1997. Flowers were damaged by cold temperatures the first two years, but in 1999, we finally got about one week of good color. Flowers are an exceptionally vivid rose color Magnolia x 'Legacy' M. sprengeri 'Diva' x M. denudata. References describe pink flowers in early spring. Our plant has a strong tendency to sucker. 1995. Magnolia x 'Wada's Memory' M. kobus x M. salicifolia. Described as having large white flowers, 6 inches across, although ours has not been very productive thus far. Attractive, neat foliage holding up very well in full sun summer heat. 1996. Magnolia acuminata x Magnolia denudata
cultivars: 'Butterflies'

Good foliage during summer, in
a full sun exposure 1996. Nice yellow
flowers badly damaged by cold
temperaturesin 1998, but we had a good
show in 1999.

'Ivory Chalice' March freeze ruined all flower buds in 1998. M.denudata parentage very evident in upright growth habit. Attractive large leaves, 9" long and up to 7" wide. Foliage looks pretty good as of mid-summer (in full sun), although moderate leaf miner(?)damage was present in 1998. Planted in 1996 - killed back to ground during winter of 1999, followed by heavey suckering at the bore of the tree 'Legend' Ivory yellow blooms. Tendency to sucker. In full sun much of the day, foliage looks good as of mid summer. Planted in 1996. Comments on deciduous magnolias:
Over the past three years, 'Leonard Messell'
has been the most reliable in terms of
flowering. Unfortunately, it was also the
selection most severely damaged by the winter
weather of 1998. Magnolia denudata is the
most desirable when its flowers escape
freezing temperatures, which on average has
been about every other year. 'Spring Snow'
and 'Chrysanthemumiflora' show great promise
when their flowers avoid freezing
temperatures. 'Ann' blooms a little later and
tends to avoid cold damage to its flowers,
but on the other hand our specimen has been
hit hard by scale and powdery mildew in the
past. Flowering on the remaining deciduous
magnolia cultivars has so far been
hit or miss; however, most of them are
growing in very exposed locations. Perhaps
under the protection of tall pines, or on the
north side of a building, they would bloom
later in the year and have a better chance of
avoiding cold injury.

References: - Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants - The Year in Trees, Kim E. Tripp and J.C. Raulston - Notes from the North Carolina Urban Tree Evaluation Program, Tom Ranney and Dick Bir