Magnolia 'Jane'

'Jane' magnolia is a hybrid deciduous shrub or small tree with a compact habit in the Magnoliaceae family.  It is part of the Little Girl Series created at the National Arboretum in the 1950's by Francis DeVos and William Kosar who crossed M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’. 

The Little Girl Series flowers about 2-4 weeks from mid-April to early May, which is later than other species of magnolia and therefore there is less likelihood of frost damage to the flower buds.  'Jane' is a particularly cold hardy form with large fragrant purple-red flowers that resemble tulips with white centers covering bare branches before the leaves emerge.  The flowers occasionally rebloom mid-summer.  It grows to a height of around 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide.

Plant in moist, rich, well-drained soils in the full sun to partial shade in rich neutral to acidic well-drained but evenly moist soils. Regular mulching of the root zone will help keep the soil moist. 'Jane' is tolerant of heavy clay soils, air pollution, and also heat.   Prune sparingly only to remove dead or broken branches or if needed to maintain shape do so after flowering.  Growing slowly at only one foot per year, it is best not to transplant this plant as its roots are fleshy and easily damaged, so choose the landscape location wisely.

Plant as a specimen in a lawn, grow as an informal privacy hedge,  along a foundation, use in the middle to back of a shrub border or at a woodland edge. This compact flowering tree makes a great addition to any courtyard, patio, or small space in the garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insect problems include scale, thrips, and weevils.  Anthracnose, canker, leaf spot and powdery mildew are occasional disease problems.  

More information on Magnolia.