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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chilopsis linearis Chilopsis linearis
Magnolia 'Butterflies' Magnolia 'Butterflies'
Sinojackia rehderiana Flower Close-up Spring (Craven County, NC)
Magnolia x kewensis 'Wada's Memory' has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage
Magnolia Scale
Yellow Poplar Weevil
Magnolia x kewensis 'Wada's Memory' has some common disease problems:
Sooty Molds

Magnolia x kewensis 'Wada's Memory'

Previously known as:

  • Magnolia salicifolia 'Wada' Memory'
Description

Japanese botanist Koichiro Wada helped introduce this magnolia to the Western world in 1959.  This cultivar was selected from the offspring of M. kobus × M. salicifolia.

Known to begin blooming at an early age, award-winning 'Wada's Memory' magnolia is a hybrid cultivar in the Magnoliaceae family.  A hint of orange blossom is in the air when this medium-sized deciduous tree produces its large 7" white flowers in the spring before the foliage appears.  The elongated petals are snow-white and similar to other star-shaped magnolias, but much larger.  The petals are horizontal when the flowers are fully open with the edges curling in a downward direction.

Its symmetrical pyramidal shape is quite different from other varieties of magnolia.  That and its tolerance of paving make it a great candidate as a street tree.

It is at its best when located in moist, slightly acidic, well drained, organically rich soil.  Doing poorly when situated with wet feet, proper drainage is a must for a healthy, robust specimen.  Full sun or bright shade is the preferred lighting.  

Mulch the surrounding area in the summer months to help retain moisture.  Care should be taken to not disturb the area around a newly planted tree.  Don't rake, dig, plant or conduct any other activities that will disrupt the soil until the tree has become established.

Pruning should be done in the summer months when the tree is in full leaf.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insects to watch out for include snails, capsid bug and horse chestnut scale.  

Diseases can include gray mold, honey fungus, leaf spot and coral spot.  

Leaves can yellow due to an iron deficiency.

Late frosts can damage the early spring blooms.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#hardy#deciduous#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#flowering tree#wind tolerant#frost tolerant#semi-double flowers#cutting garden#deciduous tree#butterfly friendly#wet soils intolerant#broadleaf#flowering#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#hardy#deciduous#fragrant flowers#heat tolerant#flowering tree#wind tolerant#frost tolerant#semi-double flowers#cutting garden#deciduous tree#butterfly friendly#wet soils intolerant#broadleaf#flowering#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Magnolia
    Family:
    Magnoliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Landscape
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Fragrance
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Cone-like fruit appear after flowering.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The fragrant
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    New foliage is reddish-purple, turning to a dark green in the summer.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The new wood is green until late spring of the next year when new shoots appear. Can be single stemmed or multi stemmed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Foundation Planting
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat