Magnolia × soulangeana
saucer magnolia

Notes:

Arguably overused. Notorious for blooms being ruined by late frosts; 'Brozzonii' and 'Verbanica' are cited by UConn for blooming late enough to avoid this problem, as is 'NCMX1' (Mercury) by Dirr/Warren.

Blooms at 3-5 years; UConn says "sometimes" fragrant, so it may vary by cultivar. Druse describes the fragrance as rich and complex, but he doesn't mention a specific cultivar.

Growth slows after about 20 years. Upright in youth, rounded by about 10 years. Flowers may be a litter issue. Branch strength debated, as is clay tolerance (JerseyYards.org and Missouri BG vs. NCSU and the USDA).

Sources: UFL, Sunset, Stoecklein, JerseyYards.org, Missouri BG, UConn, NCSU, USDA, Druse, Dirr/Warren.

Tags:

acidic soil preferred
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
clay tolerant
coarse texture
compacted soil intolerant
deer resistant
drought intolerant
easy to grow
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
form:tree
fragrant flowers
full sun preferred
habit:irregular
habit:oval
habit:rounded
habit:spreading/wide
habit:upright
large wounds sensitive
litter:minimal
long-lived
open canopy
persistence:deciduous
pollution tolerant
pruning not required
rich soil preferred
root competition intolerant
root disturbance intolerant
roots:coarse/few
roots:low damage potential
roots:wide-spreading
salt intolerant
showy bark
showy flowers
type:broadleaf
use:container
use:deck/patio
use:espalier
use:screen
use:shade tree
use:specimen
water:regular
well-drained soil required
wind sensitive


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