Zen Magnolia Magnolia zenii
- Phonetic Spelling
- mag-NO-lee-ah zen-ee-eye
- Description
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Zen magnolia is a deciduous small tree in the Magnoliaceae (magnoila) family. It is native to the forests of China but has become rare in its native habitat.
It has upright growth reaching 15 to 25 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. This gray barked specimen is the earliest flowering magnolia with relatively small but very fragrant blooms appearing in the mid-to-late winter from February to March. Dark green leaves are pale green on the underside, and winter buds are covered with silky hairs. Late winter frosts can damage the flower buds.
Use this petite tree as a specimen for a patio or courtyard planting. It is at home in a lawn planting or as a part of an Asian themed garden. Its winter flowers and beautiful bark make it a good choice to add interest in a winter garden.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Pink Parchment'
- 'Pink Parchment'
- 'Pink Parchment'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Pink Parchment'
- 'Pink Parchment'
- 'Pink Parchment'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Magnolia
- Species:
- zenii
- Family:
- Magnoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Terminal pink buds open white with the undersurface of the nine tepals marked with a band of purple-pink along the midrib of each tepal. Up to 4 inches wide and fragrant. Blooms Febuary to March and appear before leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Up to 8-inch long elliptical dark green leaves with entire margins are pale green on the underside with curly hairs along the veins and midrib. Yellow-brown fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- No scales, covered in hair
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- Purple brown to gray with lenticles, very hairy buds
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
