Saucer Magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana
- Phonetic Spelling
- mag-NO-lee-ah soo-lan-jee-AH-nuh
- Description
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A hybrid cross between M. denudata and M. liliflora that is grown as a deciduous tree or large shrub. It grows up to 33' tall and is erect and pyramidal to rounded. Prefers consistent and regular moisture in well-drained acidic, loamy, organically-enriched soils in full sun to partial shade. It tolerates pollution and needs a protected site from late frosts.
Has a fleshy root system that requires plenty of room. flowers at early age and appear in late winter before leaves, and has a medium-to-course texture. Fruit ripens in the fall and is not ornamental. It is subject to flower killing by late frosts. Winter pubescent flower buds appear as having just received a haircut. Shape is upright in youth (often multi-trunked), with low wide-spreading branches, and rounded at maturity. Plant late-flowering cultivars to avoid severe frost damage. Best to plant in protected location against frost and strong winds, but avoid southern exposures near structures, as buds may be encouraged to open too early. It makes a great specimen tree, a lawn tree, patio tree, or planted in a park or recreation area. This pant has pest and disease problems.
This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer and tolerates air pollution.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Soft magnolia scale produces honeydew that leads to black sooty mold. Leaf spot, canker can be troublesome.Quick ID Hints:
- Multi-trunked or main branches low on trunk
- Gigantic cup-shaped flowers before leaves in late winter
- 9 petal segments are whitish on the inside, and pinkish-purple on the outside
- Leaves have a sharply pointed apex
- Bark is smooth and gray, and is fragrant when crushed
- Winter floral buds appear to have a haircut
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Ann'
- Ann Betty - late-flowering cultivar
- Ballerina - late-flowering cultivar
- 'Ann'
- 'Ann', Ann Betty - late-flowering cultivar, Ballerina - late-flowering cultivar
- Tags:


















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ann'
- Ann Betty - late-flowering cultivar
- Ballerina - late-flowering cultivar
- 'Ann'
- 'Ann', Ann Betty - late-flowering cultivar, Ballerina - late-flowering cultivar
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Magnolia
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Is the larval food source for saddleback caterpillars. Magnolia soft scale produces honeydew that bees love.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 33 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a multicelled, cone-like aggregates. They are 2" long. Seeds are red-orange in color and emerge from slits.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are cup-shaped, solitary, slightly fragrant, terminal, erect, cupulate, and 4.7"-10" in diameter. They have 9 perianth segments, are obovate-spatulate, and are concave at the tip. In mid-spring before leaves emerge, showy tepals are white on the inside and pink-purple on the outside, and grow up to 4" long and 3" wide. Buds are silky pubescent, and are less than an inch long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple, entire margins, acute, rotund, entire, obovate to oblong, 3"-6", and the apex is pointed. They are dark green above and velutinous pubescent below. In the fall, leaves turn yellow-brown before abscission.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, gray, shows sapsucker damage (horizontal rows of 1/4 inch holes)
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are brown and glabrous with gray lenticiels. Large terminal flower buds that are hairy appear on stems one year ahead of bloom.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Pollution