Saucer Magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana
- Phonetic Spelling
- mag-NO-lee-ah soo-lan-jee-AH-nuh
- Description
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Saucer magnolia is a deciduous tree or large shrub in the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). It is a hybrid cross between M. denudata and M. liliiflora that grows 15 to 33 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide.
This tree has a fleshy root system that requires plenty of room. It prefers consistent and regular moisture in well-drained, acidic, loamy, organically enriched soils and full sun to partial shade. It needs a site protected from strong winds and late frosts that can kill its late winter blooming flowers. Avoid southern exposures near structures (which absorb and reradiate heat), as the extra warm may encourage the buds to open too early and be damaged by subsequent frosts. Plant late-flowering cultivars to avoid severe frost damage. This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer and tolerates air pollution.
Saucer magnolia makes a great specimen or lawn tree planted in a park or recreation area. Its flowers also provide beauty next to a patio or in a children’s garden.
Quick ID Hints:
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Multi-trunked or main branches low on trunk.
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Gigantic cup-shaped flowers before leaves in late winter.
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Nine petal segments are whitish on the inside and pinkish-purple on the outside.
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Leaves have a sharply pointed apex.
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Bark is smooth and gray and is fragrant when crushed.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Soft magnolia scale produces honeydew that leads to black sooty mold. Leaf spot and canker can be troublesome.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- 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:
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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:
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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:
- Perennial
- 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:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Pollution
