Lily Tree Magnolia denudata

Yulan magnolia is beloved in China and is regarded as one of the most beautiful of all the magnolias. In China, it is known as 'Yulan" or 'Jade Lily." It is a large, attractive deciduous, early-flowering shrub or tree that has large, showy, upright, fragrant, creamy-white blooms in late winter or early spring. The blooms will appear before the leaves emerge. The leaves are dark green and obovate to oblong. The flowers are followed by brownish cone-like fruits that produce bright red-coated seeds by late summer to early fall. The tree grows 30 to 40 feet tall and equally as wide and is multi-stemmed with a rounded spreading crown. 

The Yulan magnolia is native to eastern and southern China and has been in cultivation since 618 AD. This was the first magnolia to be introduced from Asia to the western world. It was first brought to England in 1780. This species is one of the parents to many cultivars such as Magnolia x soulangeana and Magnolia x vetchii.

The genus name, Magnolia, honors a French botanist from the 17th century, Pierre Magnol. The specific epithet, denudata, means naked and references the fact that the tree flowers before the leaves emerge. 

This shrub or tree prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, organically rich loam soil. It is intolerant to extremes of soil dryness or wetness as well as urban pollution. It may be injured by late spring frost, and it is best planted in a sheltered location to protect it from winter winds. If pruning is required, it is best done immediately after flowering has been completed. Propagation may be by seeds or stem cuttings.

The Yulan magnolia makes a wonderful specimen in the landscape. Its exquisite flowers with their lemony scent in late winter or early spring would be lovely near a patio or walkway. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Late Winter and Early Spring        Foliage:  Late Spring and Summer     Fruits:  Late Summer and Early Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• deciduous large multi-stemmed shrub or tree ranging from 30 to 40 feet tall and as wide
• large, showy, upright, fragrant, creamy-white flowers with 9 to 12 tepals and tinged with pink at the base
• distinguishing feature--has fewer tepals than other magnolias
• dark green, obovate to oblong leaves, slightly pubescent, lighter green beneath
• brownish cone-like fruits with bright red coated seeds

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Yulan magnolia has no serious insect or disease problems, but it may be susceptible to insects such as capsid bugs, snails, and horse chestnut scales. Potential diseases include coral spots, gray mold, and honey fungus

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

More information on Magnolia.