JAPANESE MAGNOLIA: THE ULTIMATE IN GARDEN SPLENDOR
For individuals desiring perfection in their home landscape design, incorporating the Japanese Magnolia is an excellent addition. Native to China, but usually imported from Japan, this beautiful flowering tree provides ample beauty while requiring minimal maintenance. There are several varieties to choose from and each tree offers unparalleled loveliness in comparison to other magnolias.
JAPANESE MAGNOLIA TYPES
JANE: Growing up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, Jane magnolias produce 6” reddish-purple flowers. This magnificent landscape supplement provides adornment in the fall as well with shiny dark green leaves. Blooming usually occurs during late spring for the Jane.
ANN: A mixed breed magnolia produced by combining the Yulan magnolia with the Japanese magnolia. Typical height reaches less than 10 feet and blooms are generally deep purple. Ann magnolias prefer full sun light, but can live under some shade.
BUTTERFLY: Loving the ocean life, these attractive beauties provide fragrant aroma from their hardy light yellow blossoms. Species of butterfly magnolia can grow over 25 feet tall and produce 3 to 4 inch blooms throughout the spring season.
LEONARD MESSEL: With particularly exquisite pink blooms, the Leonard Messel magnolia may be the ultimate in garden beauty. Preferring light shade and faring well against wind and frost, Messel tree flowers start out as purple buds and blossom into fragrant star shapes. It is a slow growing addition, but one worth the wait.
SAUCER: With gorgeous white or pink, saucer shaped flowers that open up to 10 inches wide; the Saucer magnolia makes a beautiful addition to any garden. Beginning blooms start as early as late December and run throughout the spring season.
UMBRELLA: This unique and sometimes rare magnolia produces fragrant white blooms. However, its beauty doesn’t typically come from its blooms, but rather the enormous 12 inch leaves resembling umbrella spokes produced by the tree.
SOUTHERN SELECT: Flowers for this scientifically fortified magnolia breed are deep purple with light pink ends. The southern select grows up to 15 feet tall and produces blooms starting in late December through late August.
ROYAL STAR: Growing up to 15 feet, the Royal Star magnolia offers yard enthusiasts pretty white blooms that begin in early spring. Thriving mainly in the far western and southern states of the U.S., Royal stars prefer warm climate and do not do well against frost.
RANDY: Covered by bright reddish purple blooms beginning in early spring, the Randy magnolia is nothing less than magnificent. Prefers plenty of water and requires little shade.
YELLOW BIRD: This gorgeous tree produces deep yellow blooms throughout the springtime and requires little watering. Yellow bird magnolias can reach heights of up to 40 feet and the species was created by the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
WHERE TO GET JAPANESE MAGNOLIAS
There are a variety of resources available for acquiring your own Japanese magnolia. As most people prefer to see plants before purchase, buying one from your local home improvement store of landscape nursery is the best choice. However, with today’s technological advances, buying a magnolia is easier than ever. There are a large number of reputable online landscape providers that carry all major types of magnolias. Oftentimes, these companies will offer lesser cost and satisfaction guarantees for their customers.
When looking to purchase this kind of tree, be sure to understand the conditions under which your desired tree can survive and the care required to maintain them. There is no use wasting time and money if the magnolia doesn’t thrive in your area. Any respectable nursery will give you all pertinent information regarding a magnolia species before you buy.