Big-laurel Magnolia 'NCMX1' Mercury™

Magnolia is one of the oldest tree species in the world. They made up a large part of the North Temperate forest trees before the last glacial age. They may live 80 – 120 years.  Magnolia from the Latin meaning large flowers, honors the French botanist Pierre Magnol.

This tree has a refined upright form reaching 40’ – 80’ in height and 30’ – 40’ in width. Trees will become very large over time and should be planted in areas where they can expand as the roots often reach well beyond the leaf canopy. Heavy leaf residue, containing allelochemicals, interfere with the establishment of plants underneath the tree.

Magnolia Mercury™ is a unique and exceptional late-blooming (often a month after typical M. soulangeana, thereby avoiding late spring frosts) magnolia tree with huge fragrant flowers, a refined, upright form that is ideal for use as a street or specimen tree. The best display is in summer when Mercury’s huge flowers put on a visual display and teases the nose with a delightful fragrance. But the tree stays green and provides a bit of color pick-me-up in the winter

Plant in full sun for best flower display with moist, organically-rich, well-drained soil. It can survive in shade, but has low drought tolerance. It cannot survive in flooded conditions, but can tolerate high moisture levels and soil salinity. It is winter hardy, tolerates air pollution, and is hurricane/storm-resistant.

Developed as a collaborative project by NC State University, J. Frank Schmidt and Son Nursery, and the late Dr. August Kehr. U.S. Plant Patent Applied for (PPAF).

Seasons of Interest:

    Bloom: Summer     Foliage: Winter, evergreen

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.