Magnolia varieties for growing in the garden are the most resistant and unpretentious varieties
Far Eastern beauties of magnolias can be found more and more often in our area. Most of them are really quite moody, but there are also some types of magnolias that feel quite comfortable in the local climate. If you plan to grow this plant, you should take a responsible approach to the issue of choosing a variety. In order for the trees to take root, winter well and feel comfortable, they must have increased frost resistance. Thanks to breeders of unpretentious plant species, there are quite a few. We will talk about the most popular ones today.
Going to the nursery, be sure to ask what variety you are offered. And also pay attention to the external signs confirming its species.
Magnolia species adapted to our climate
Among the most resistant plants that can be grown outdoors, it is worth highlighting the following types of magnolias:
- star-shaped;
- Cobus;
- Lebner;
- Soulange.
They are all deciduous.
Non-deciduous magnolias are best grown in the warmest and southernmost regions, or in a warm greenhouse. In the open ground of the central strip and to the north, they are unlikely to survive.
Magnolia star
It grows as a tree, sometimes as a shrub with several trunks. The maximum plant height is 6 m, but most often the tree does not grow higher than 3 m in gardens. At home, in Japan, this magnolia grows in fairly humid places. Blooms in late March - early April, before the foliage opens. The inflorescences are white or pinkish. The leaves themselves appear at the end of flowering. They are up to 10 cm long, at first green, and by autumn they turn yellow.
Plant star magnolia in a slightly shaded area. In the sun, she can wake up early and then the flower buds will freeze from night frosts.
Magnolia Cobus
Under natural conditions, it grows on humus-rich soils. This makes it possible to turn into a slender beautiful tree with a pyramidal crown. It is one of the most hardy and taller varieties. The height of the tree can reach 12 m and is not afraid of frosts down to -34 °. Magnolia blooms in large, up to 10 cm in diameter, white flowers with a purple tint.
Despite its high resistance, the Kobus magnolia is not often seen in the garden. Perhaps for the reason that a tree grown from a seedling will bloom only after 30 years.
Magnolia Lebner
A hybrid variety, the parents of which are magnolias star-shaped and Kobus. I took the best properties from them: a heady aroma from the first and a slender pyramidal crown from the second. True, over time it becomes a little rounded. Grows in the form of a shrub or tree with a low stem. At the same time, the total plant height can reach 8 m, but on average these are 5-meter trees. Kobus blooms in mid-April and blooms until early May with large white inflorescences or with light shades of delicate colors. The leaves are also large, appear after flowering, turn bronze in autumn.
Lebner's magnolias need more space, so it is best to plant them at a distance from other tall crops.
Magnolia Soulange
Grows as a shrub or a tall tree with a low stem. Its height reaches 8 m, while the diameter of the crown is equal to the growth of a magnolia. Blooms with large flowers in the form tulip, for which it received the name "tulip tree".The color of the buds depends on the variety and can be white, pink and even dark purple.
Of the listed species, Sulange is the most delicate and it is partially adapted to our conditions. Despite its frost resistance, in severe frosts, the tops of the branches freeze underneath it.
What types of magnolias are suitable for growing in our area - video