Show blooming magnolia. Magnolia - tree of chastity

A tree with incredibly beautiful flowers that will decorate your garden, make it bright and expressive, filling it with an alluring vanilla-lemon aroma. And don’t be afraid of her possible capriciousness: I will try to dispel all doubts and share the intricacies of growing and caring for magnolia.

A symbol of virgin purity in China, magnolia is held in high esteem with us. Its extraordinary beauty and intoxicating aroma have long been admired.

In the middle lane, it begins to bloom as early as April, when most of the trees are not even covered with leaves. Apparently, therefore, huge flowers cause surprise and delight. Although magnolia is valued not only for its beauty. Its leaves, flowers, fruits and even bark contain - a unique antiseptic for hypertension, rheumatism and diseases of the digestive system.

Magnolia (named after the famous botanist P. Magnol) is one of the brightest representatives of the Magnoliaceae family, which has over 70 species. Its luxurious trees with a wide pyramidal or spherical crown can reach 5-8 or even 20 m in height. Depending on the variety, flowers can be white, pink, purple, red and even lilac. True, out of 120 varieties, only a few can be grown in the middle lane (the rest are really capricious and simply will not survive our harsh winters): magnolia kobus (Magnolia kobus), star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) and some of their hybrids. Later we will analyze them in more detail, but for now let's discuss the nuances of growing this amazing plant.

magnolia planting

Before you start planting a magnolia, you need to choose the right seedling: it must have. About what else to look for when choosing seedlings, you can read and see in the following materials:

The landing site is determined in advance, given that the magnolia:

1. Prefers areas protected from winds and drafts;
2. It does not tolerate heavily calcareous soils at all: roots almost do not develop in them and may die. If this is the case in your area, mix it with acidic, this will lower the pH;
3. It also grows poorly on heavy, waterlogged and sandy soils.

The best place for planting will be sunny, in the southern regions - a slightly shaded area with light fertile soil.

About landing dates most gardeners agree that it is better to plant magnolia in the fall, when young seedlings have already stopped growing, as if “hibernating”. Autumn planting must be done in mid-late October, when there are no severe frosts yet, and unbearable heat is gone.

Concerning the spring planting, opinions differed. Some gardeners believe that young magnolia seedlings, like most trees, can be planted in spring - in April. The latter say that even small ones are capable of causing irreparable harm to trees that have already begun to grow, after which rehabilitation will be long and, most likely, ineffective. To listen to such conflicting opinions or not is up to you. But think about whether the risk is justified: after all a seedling properly planted in the fall will almost 100% take root.

Having chosen a place, we begin to prepare a landing pit. Please note that the size of the pit should be three times the volume of the root system of the seedling.

1. Having taken out the required amount of soil, mix it with rotted soil.
2. If the soil is too dense, add some sand.
3. Having prepared the earth mixture, we install the seedling in the planting hole, in no case deepening the root collar, and fill it with the mixture so that a small hole forms around the tree.
4. Then lightly compact the soil in the hole and water well.
5. As soon as the water is absorbed into the soil, we mulch the trunk circle with peat / sand or cover it with bark.

pruning

If a slight freezing could not be avoided, and the tops of the branches still froze, it is necessary to hold the branches to healthy wood, and cover up the cuts. In addition, it is necessary to cut off all damaged, dry and crossing branches inside the crown. And here magnolia shaping pruning is not needed.

Fertilizers and top dressings

Although magnolia is very responsive to application, in the first 2 years of life, it is not recommended to feed her. But three-year-old magnolia seedlings already need additional nutrients, so fertilizing will be very helpful. Need to apply fertilizer from early spring to late August. , which increases the plant's tendency to freeze, can be used only until mid-July.

Fertilizer can be prepared independently using 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 15 g of urea and 1 kg of mullein, diluted in 10 liters of water. Fertilizer consumption for 1 tree is 40 liters.

You can also use a solution of complete mineral fertilizer "Kemira-Universal", for the preparation of which I dissolve 1 tbsp in a bucket of water. drug. There are also a number of fertilizers created specifically for feeding magnolia: for example, AGRECOL "For Magnolia".

And remember: everything is good in moderation. This is also true for fertilizers, the excess of which can only harm the plant. If an overdose nevertheless occurs, which can be determined by the old leaves drying up at the end of July, try to correct this with weekly abundant watering.

Types and varieties of magnolia

Magnolia can be deciduous or evergreen. The first reacts to temperature changes only by changing the timing of flowering, and the second is not able to withstand great frosts at all, therefore, in the middle lane it is cultivated only in greenhouses with a certain temperature regime.

Among the 120 varieties of magnolia, there are not so many winter-hardy and relatively winter-hardy varieties. So, to winter-hardy varieties that can be grown without problems in the middle lane include:

• magnolia kobus(Magnolia kobus),
• star magnolia(Magnolia stellata),
• hybrid of star magnolia and kobus - Magnolia Lebner.

relatively winter-hardy, in which only part of the flower buds freeze in severe frosts, include garden forms Ash and Sulange.

Magnolia kobus (Magnolia kobus)

Magnolia trees of the kobus variety reach 8-12 m in height and are distinguished by an unusual crown, which in the first years of life has a pyramidal shape, changing to spherical with age.

Magnolia kobus is rightly considered the most hardy and unpretentious variety in care, but it is rarely cultivated in our country. But here's the thing: from seed germination to the period until the tree will please with its color, it will take about 30 years. Although those who know how to wait will be rewarded a hundredfold: in addition to the fact that magnolia kobus is undemanding to care for, in April-May it will delight you with incredibly beautiful white flowers with a purple base. Dark green leaves turn yellow-brown with the advent of autumn and fall off only by mid-autumn.

Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

More often a tree, less often a shrub, up to 5-6 m high, with a spherical or oval crown, star magnolia reaches 4.5 and even 5 m wide. During flowering, Magnolia stellata exudes a very pleasant, enveloping and persistent aroma.

Yes, and star magnolia blooms before the rest - in March-April, after which the whole tree is covered with dark green leaves up to 7-10 cm long, which become bronze-yellow by autumn.

Magnolia Loebner (Magnolia x loebneri)

Magnolia Lebner is a hybrid of cobus magnolia and star magnolia, which took the best from its parents: the endurance and beauty of the crown of the first and the intoxicating aroma of the second.

Magnolia Loebner is a tree with a rounded crown, reaching a height of 9 m. The fragrant flowers of Magnolia x loebneri, white with a slightly pinkish tint, bloom in April, and the leaves are green all summer, just like those of star magnolia, turn yellow by autumn. bronze color.

Magnolia Soulangeana (Magnolia x soulangeana)

The Sulange magnolia is most often found in our markets.

It is a 5-10-meter tree, in April-May covered with a continuous carpet of fragrant pink-purple flowers with a diameter of 10-25 cm, which resemble tulips. The dark green leaves of Sulange magnolia turn dirty yellow by autumn.

Ash's Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla ssp.ashei)

One of the most beautiful and hardy deciduous magnolias - Ash's magnolia - will delight you with rapid flowering as early as 2-5 years of age.

The Ash magnolia tree reaches a height of 5, and sometimes 7 meters, and almost never suffers from recurrent frosts. And the thing is that it blooms much later than other species - in the middle, and sometimes closer to the end of May. In addition, flowering lasts much longer than early flowering ones. Huge white cream-colored flowers reach a diameter of 25, and sometimes 30 cm, and amazing tropical-looking leaves reach a length of 50-70 cm.

In this article, I tried to reveal all the secrets of growing magnolia. But maybe for some of you they are not new at all, and magnolia has been growing in your garden for a long time? Share your impressions of growing this wonderful tree, I will be very grateful to you for this, because there is nothing more valuable than your own experience!

This plant is one of the most ancient on the planet. Thanks to the perfection of lines and exquisite colors, it has been repeatedly mentioned in poems and songs. Many centuries ago, Chinese gourmets even ate it as a delicacy. However, only a few decide to cultivate it. Capricious and whimsical - magnolia is associated with such epithets in many. The flower is actually not so capricious. The article proposes a detailed algorithm for growing and caring for a tree.

Scientists believe that the magnolia has existed since the age of the dinosaurs. It belongs to one of the most ancient genera of flowering crops. There are about 120 species in the Magnolia family, 45 of which are very rare, and 25 are frost-resistant.

In its natural environment, it grows in temperate, tropical and mangrove forests from southeast North America to Japan. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is found on the Black Sea coast. In the park landscape it is used both for the formation of alleys, and in a mono-version.

It owes its name to the French botanist P. Magnolu. In Russia, the word "Magnolia" was originally fixed, but later it was transformed into a modern version of pronunciation.

Magnolia is a shrub and tree, both deciduous and evergreen.

Table 1. Main characteristics of magnolia

plant part	Description
Bark	Brown or dirty gray. Depending on the variety, it is covered with furrows or scales.
kidneys	Large in size, both conical and fusiform are found.
shoots	Initially pubescent, with time they become bare, with characteristic leaf depressions.
Leaves	Entire, large, in the form of an ellipsis or an inverted egg. The venation is pinnate.
flowers	Large, with a vanilla-lemon aroma that attracts insects. Does not contain nectar. Bisexual, cream, snow-white, pink or wine colors. The leaves are edible. Each contains 6, 9 or 12 petals arranged in several circles. Pollination occurs with the help of beetles. During the period when the flowers bloom, butterflies and bees are not yet active.

The most popular types

Despite the great variability, only a few varieties are cultivated on the territory of Russia, especially in the temperate zone.

An evergreen plant that naturally grows in the USA. Cultivated since the beginning of the XVIII century. Distributed in Central Asia, the Krasnodar Territory, Georgia, the Caucasus and the Crimea.

Almost all parts of the plant are used to produce essential oils.

Table 2. Characteristics of magnolia grandiflora

Evaluation criterion	Description
Height	Up to 20 m, some trees grow up to 30 m.
Crown	In the form of a pyramid, with dense foliage.
Trunk	Wide, straight, with a diameter of 1.2 to 1.3 m.
Bark	Light brown or dirty gray, up to 2 cm thick.
flowers	Large, single, up to 25 cm long, cream-colored with a persistent aroma.
fruiting period	The last two months of autumn.
flowering time	Mid-May to September. Sometimes inflorescences bloom in October and even November.
Frost resistance	-15°C.

Native to the Celestial. It was brought to the European part of the mainland at the end of the 18th century and instantly gained popularity. One of the most beautiful in the family. In addition to external resemblance to lilies, the inflorescences are characterized by expressive coloring. It grows slowly, but it is not demanding on the soil. Often used to produce new hybrids. Looks great near ponds.

A specific feature is the almost complete absence of aroma.

Table 3. Characteristics of lilac magnolia

Evaluation criterion	Description
Height	up to 5 m
Crown	Strong, branched, falls for the winter, reaches a width of 5 m.
flowers	Cream-raspberry shade, up to 11 cm in diameter. The plant is distinguished by abundant flowering.
Leaves	There are both wide and elongated, in the shape of a glass.
Fruit	A shade of burgundy, up to 9 cm long. Ripe by November.
flowering time	The end of March - the first weeks of April. In parallel with the blooming of foliage.
Frost resistance	Up to -23°С.

The most resistant variety of Japanese origin. In the northern regions, it is found mainly in the form of a shrub. It is the owner of a bark of an unusual shade - at the same time silver, brown and olive shades. Due to unpretentiousness, cultivation is possible in most of the European territory of the Russian Federation.

It blooms upon reaching 10-15 years.

Table 4. Characteristics of Magnolia Kobus

Japanese deciduous tree or massive shrub resembling a pyramid in shape. Outwardly, it resembles Kobus magnolia, including frost resistance parameters. The main differences are slow growth and the presence of exposed buds. Cultivated since the end of the 19th century. Due to the low seed productivity of uterine specimens, it is less common than other varieties. Cultivation in the central zone of the Russian Federation is impossible due to thermophilicity.

In everyday life, they call anise magnolia because of the pronounced aroma of anise coming from all parts of the plant.

Table 5. Characteristics of magnolia willow

Grows as a long shrub or deciduous tree. Shrubs are more common. Buddhist monks cultivated it as early as the 7th-10th centuries AD. e. It has been grown in Europe since the end of the 18th century. The time of appearance of the first inflorescences occurs in the period from 4 to 13 years after planting from seeds. This species takes root well in the Caucasus and the Central Chernozem region.

Due to the fact that the flowers bloom before the formation of leaves, on bare branches, this species is called "Naked".

Table 6. Characteristics of naked magnolia

Evaluation criterion	Description
Height	Up to 10 m.
Crown	Spreading, up to 10 m in diameter.
flowers	Creamy, up to 15 cm long. They have a rich aroma. There are from 9 to 12 petals. Outwardly similar to lilies. There are varieties with bright colors.
Leaves	In the shape of an inverted egg.
flowering time	In eastern countries - in the last days of February. In the central zone of the Russian Federation - April and May.
Frost resistance	Up to -28°С.

A French hybrid of the Nude and Lily-colored species, created at the beginning of the 19th century. More than 50 varieties are officially recorded. The flowers have a rich aroma and a two-tone color. The plant likes to grow in fertile soil.

This variety can be grown in containers.

Table 7. Characteristics of Sulange magnolia

Evaluation criterion	Description
Height	Up to 5 m.
Crown	Rounded, 3 to 5 m in diameter.
flowers	Outwardly similar to a bowl. Formed on branches before foliage appears. Large, up to 25 cm long. Coloring - from snow-white to combined, implying white inside and pink or burgundy on the outside.
Leaves	Large, light green.
flowering time	April and May.
fruiting period	September and October.
Frost resistance	Up to -22°С.

The most elegant, one of the most frost-resistant and early flowering. Especially loved by the Japanese. Grows as a compact, floriferous shrub or small tree. Cultivated in Europe since the middle of the XIX century. It looks impressive both in a single landing and in compositions with high representatives of the Family.

In the tropics, inflorescences bloom even in winter. In Russia, there is evidence of successful cultivation in the Moscow region.

Table 8. Characteristics of star magnolia

Evaluation criterion	Description
Height	Up to 3 m.
Crown	Small, up to 3.5 m in diameter
flowers	In the form of stars with a characteristic sweet tint. The color scheme is white, cream, hot pink and pale yellow. The number of petals reaches 40 pieces in one inflorescence, the diameter of which is about 10 cm.
Leaves	In the shape of a narrow ellipse. In autumn, the foliage changes color from green to bronze.
flowering time	End of March and April.
Frost resistance	Up to -24°С.

Video - Types of magnolias

Step-by-step instructions for growing in the garden

Most species prefer to grow in southern latitudes. Magnolias love the sun, but some varieties thrive in partial shade. Considering that there are not so many such zones on the territory of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to choose the right variety. Characteristics should correlate with the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of the region.

Step 1. Choosing a variety

In Western Europe, the following types of magnolias are popular - Sulange, Pointed, Kobus, Umbrella, Large-flowered, Star-shaped and White-flowered. In the middle lane, deciduous species are considered frost-resistant. Their only disadvantage is damage to the kidneys during frosts.

Star-shaped, for example, can withstand temperatures down to -37 ° C.This is due to its early flowering. Excellent frost resistance is distinguished by the Alexandrina (Soulange) variety, which tolerates up to -35 ° C. It is necessary to maintain the culture during the frost period only during flowering or budding.

Step 2. Determination of the landing time

There is an opinion that magnolia should be planted in the fall. During this period, the tree becomes inactive and slows down development before hibernation. Therefore, the discomfort from the change of place will not be very noticeable. But the buds of trees, including specimens with a closed rhizome, either do not open next year, or bloom in small quantities. Abundant flowering takes a very long time. Therefore, it is preferable to plant a crop in April, at the end of the frost.

Step 3. Selection of planting material

If planting is planned in the spring, seedlings should have woody shoots. Gardeners are often faced with a situation where a tree planted from a container begins to grow rapidly and meets winter with weak branches. This is fraught with their subsequent death. When planting in autumn, you should buy a tree with planted flower buds. Due to the fact that the root system is overly sensitive, the culture reacts negatively to transplantation. It is advisable to buy copies with a closed root system.

In the spring, the cost of seedlings is too high. This is due to seasonal demand. In autumn, planting material can be purchased with a 30% discount.

Step 4. Choosing a location

The main criteria are sheltered from the winds and sunny. Plants that bloom in early spring do not like the scorching morning sun. Rapid thawing of frozen buds is fraught with their death. In the middle zone of the Russian Federation, shading is not welcome, although it is suitable for the southern regions. Young trees are best planted in partial shade, but not next to large fruit trees. Falling fruits can cause significant damage to the crown.

Step 5. Soil preparation

Most magnolias do not tolerate alkaline, sandy or heavy soils. Moderately moist, acidic or slightly acidic soil is good. It must be fertile and well-drained.

In calcareous soil, the root system is poorly formed and often dies. To improve the composition of the earth, you need to mix it with acidic peat. This will help bring the pH down to the correct level.

Step 6 Planting Magnolia

When determining the planting scheme, the estimated crown diameter and plant height are taken into account. On average, they reach a height of 10 m, and a width of 4 to 5 m. Therefore, it is advisable to adhere to an interval of at least 4 m. In conditions of limited land resources, magnolias are planted in groups, each of which consists of 1 tree and 3 bush.

1. The size of the pit is 1x1 m.
2. Drainage. It is preferable to organize from crushed stone.
3. Compost. In dense soil, river sand is added to it. In addition, the introduction of wood ash is useful. Magnolias grow well in places where branches are burned. American gardeners recommend applying horse manure.
4. Earthen ball around the rhizome. Should not be overdried. Due to the fact that in most cases the root system of these plants is superficial, it does not like active manipulations.
5. Root collar. In seedlings, it should protrude 3 cm from the ground level.

At the end of planting, the soil is moistened and covered with mulch.

For any person, a blooming magnolia causes genuine charm and tenderness. The beauty of a luxurious and delicate bud is associated with an airy orchid, whose flowers look like magnolia. Its history began as early as 140 million years BC, in those ancient times, when herds of wild dinosaurs roamed the earth. Over the millennia, new varieties of magnolia plants have appeared.

Description and history of origin

Until the 18th century, nothing was known about magnolia in Europe. The plant grew in North America in river valleys and moist forests. At the beginning of the 19th century, the famous French traveler and botanist Charles Plumier brought from America a sample of an amazing tree with huge flowers and an incredible aroma.

The plant was named "maniol" in honor of the professor of botany, a friend of the discoverer of magnolia, Pierre Magnol.

Description of the botanical "portrait" of magnolia:

• Evergreen or deciduous tall shrub or tree;
• The bark of the tree is ash gray or brown. The texture of the bark can be smooth, in the form of scales or in small grooves;
• The leaves are dark green, large, rounded oval;
• Magnolia flowers are bisexual, large, white, cream or pink with a strong aroma;
• After flowering, a seed fruit is formed in the form of an intestinal-shaped combined leaflet with triangular black seeds. The fruits have a decorative attractive appearance.

Magnolia

With the onset of warm days, fragrant magnolia flowers bloom, which are so valued for their unforgettable beauty and aroma. In addition, flowers, foliage and fruits contain a large amount of essential oils used as an antiseptic, as well as for various diseases of the internal organs.

Varieties and varieties

Currently, 210 varietal species of the Magnolia families are registered in botanical registers, which are divided into the following groups:

• Deciduous plants. Trees, like all other familiar plants, shed their leaves in autumn. Representatives of this group are better adapted to the winter cold.
• Evergreens. Plants of the second group are absolutely not adapted to low temperatures and greenhouses and greenhouses are needed to grow them in a different climate.

Magnolia flower is primarily valued for its exquisite beauty and fragrant aroma of flowers, its decorative effect. All flowering plants are very beautiful and very different. Magnolias differ in varieties.

• Magnolia pointed (Latin name - Magnolia acuminate). This variety is known under the name "Cucumber Tree". The variety owes its unusual name to small fruits, reminiscent of well-known cucumbers in shape. But, unlike the green "fellows", the fruits of the cucumber tree are red in color. In the natural environment, the tree grows in mountainous regions, in deciduous forests, on the banks of mountain rivers and reaches gigantic sizes. There are specimens with a height of 30 meters and a spreading crown of the same size. After the leaves bloom, the plant is covered with numerous large flowers up to 8 cm in the form of a greenish-yellow bell. The tree grows well in moist soils. Suitable for acidic and alkaline soil. The variety is frost-resistant and grows quickly.

Magnolia pointed

All of the listed representatives of the Magnolia family are very decorative and are valued for the unforgettable beauty of flowering. In addition, magnolia is valued for essential beneficial oils present in its ripe fruits, green foliage and fragrant flowers. In medicine, oils are used as a natural antiseptic, for diseases of the digestive system, hypertension and rheumatism. The fruits of the plant are of great medicinal value. They contain fatty oils with a whole complex of unsaturated acids: peanut, linolenic, steraric and other useful substances. Bark, leaves, flowers, fruits - all these wonderful gifts of magnolia are traditionally used for medicinal purposes.

Planting, growing and care

In order for the planted magnolia tree to bloom and turn into a blooming beauty, home gardeners need to follow simple agrotechnical rules for growing this beautiful plant.

Step-by-step instructions for disembarkation:

1. In early spring, magnolia seedlings are planted in prepared pits measuring 100x100x100 cm;
2. The pits are filled with nutrient soil with constituent components of peat, sand and turf in a ratio of 2:0.5:1;
3. Seedlings are very fond of moisture, but it is not recommended to get involved in excessive watering;
4. After planting and watering, the seedlings are mulched and periodically loosen the soil.

The first year the plant gives a weak increase, and only by July the first leaves appear, in August-September there is a more active growth of the seedling.

Magnolia - a masterpiece of creation

In winter, the tree should be covered with spruce branches or wrapped in burlap. This is done so that the flower buds and young branches are not damaged.

For magnolias, forming pruning is contraindicated, the plant loses its decorative effect and recovers for a long time. When sanitary pruning, dry damaged branches must be removed and the cut points must be covered with garden pitch.

For the next spring, the seedlings are "fed" with organic fertilizers with the addition of urea and ammonium nitrate, diluted in water. Magnolia is a moisture-loving plant, the watering rate for each tree is 40 liters. The plant loves loose soil, so the soil of the trunk circle is loosened to a depth of 20 cm and must be mulched with peat or compost.

Such simple agricultural techniques for growing magnolia will be the key to the successful growth of this beautiful and amazing plant.

magnolia blossom

The gardener can admire the first magnolia flowers in a few years. A plant planted with seeds can bloom in 10-14 years, hybrid varieties will please with their flowering at 4 or 5 years of age.

We must understand! Luxurious flowering is a gardener's reward for his care, patience and hardworking hands.

Diseases and pests

Magnolia is harmed by various rodents: moles and mice. They destroy the root system of the plant and undermine its roots. If the trunk is damaged, the wound is treated with a solution of foundationazole.

If the plant is damaged by spring frosts, gray rot may appear on the leaves. Another disease is powdery mildew, which affects young leaves. Affected leaves must be removed, and the plant itself should be treated with copper preparations.

Millions of years ago, magnolias grew and bloomed in the territory of the modern Arctic. Since then, the climate has changed dramatically. In mid-latitudes, only the most frost-resistant varieties of magnolias survive.

Everything in the guise of a magnolia speaks of its heat-loving character. Large leaves and showy flowers of most species captivate the hearts of gardeners at first sight. It is not surprising that attempts to grow this plant have long been made in the Old and New Worlds. On the territory of Russia, the trees felt themselves in the subtropical zone. Back at the beginning of the last century, flowering magnolias became a living symbol of the Black Sea Riviera.

In the 70s, work on expanding the natural range and selecting frost-resistant orts of magnolias began in Kyiv. The garden laid out here helped to evaluate the species growing in the Far East, China and the USA. Then pick up hardy plants for Moscow, Vladivostok, the Urals, St. Petersburg. Thanks to the work of enthusiasts, today one can admire the subtropical culture both in the largest botanical gardens and in the collections of amateur gardeners.

What species, hybrids and varieties can withstand the Russian weather, will not suffer in the middle lane in winter, and will be covered with magnificent flowers in spring?

Magnolia Siebold (M. sieboldii)

In nature, there are more than two hundred species of magnolias. But only the hardiest forms have adapted to life in the Russian climate. Among them is Siebold's magnolia pictured in the photo. Its natural range covers part of the Korean Peninsula, China and the Japanese Islands.

A tree or large shrub up to 6–8 meters high can be called one of the smallest varieties in the magnolia genus. The table and branches of the plant are covered with grayish bark. The elliptical-like leaves grow up to 10–15 cm long and are slightly pointed at the apex. On the front side, they have a rich green color, which becomes noticeably thicker towards the veins. The back side of the leaf blades is slightly pubescent.

Magnolia sieboldii, named after the naturalist who described it in the middle of the 19th century, is particularly attractive due to large fragrant flowers up to 10 cm in diameter. It appears in late spring or in the first half of June. At first, the buds are cup-shaped, then, opening, the corolla of 6-9 petals becomes almost flat. Its middle is decorated with a crown of carmine stamens.

The view immediately appreciated by European exotic lovers turned out to be not only very decorative, but also very hardy. Mature trees can withstand temperatures down to -39°C. This makes the frost-resistant magnolia variety interesting for growing in the middle lane. Today, you can watch the flowering of this species in Vladivostok, in the northern capital of Russia and other parts of the country. The relatively small size makes it possible to grow magnolia in tubs.

Magnolia pointed (M. acuminata)

Several interesting species of magnolia are indigenous to the North American continent. In the mountainous regions of the central United States, you can see magnolia pointed with a high crown, reddish bark and elliptical leaves up to 20 cm long.

Unlike Asian species that bloom before foliage appears, most American plants bloom against a background of greenery. Therefore, buds and yellow-green flowers resembling bells do not look so impressive. However, this does not prevent botanists from showing a serious interest in a hardy species that interbreeds well with other magnolias.

From interspecific crossing, magnolia with red fruits transmits excellent winter hardiness to its descendants. And its seedlings serve as rootstocks for more decorative, but less flexible relatives. An example of successful hybridization is the Brooklyn magnolia, which is not afraid of frost and adorns the garden with purple flowers, the shape and tone reminiscent of the mother plant - lilac magnolia. In Russia, there is a successful experience of growing M. acuminata f. cordata with small flowers of a rich yellow hue.

Due to the similarity of magnolia ovaries with cucumbers in the United States, the plant is often called a cucumber tree. However, the official name Cucumber Magnolia only refers to M. acuminata.

Large-leaved magnolia (M. macrophylla)

Large-leaved magnolia grows on the Atlantic coast of the United States. Deciduous perennial justifies this name. Leaf plates on branches of 15–18 meter trees reach a length of 80–100 cm. The upper part facing the sun is smooth and colored in green tones, the gray back side of the leaf is covered with a delicate, silky pile.

On the territory of North America, the magnolia of this species is a kind of champion, since there is no tree with larger leaves on the entire continent.

Flowering is no less impressive. Buds, more often formed in the upper part of the crown, opening up, turn into huge 30 cm corollas of a milky white hue. On their inside you can see a distinctive feature of the species - three purple-violet speckles.

Flowering of Magnolia macrophylla lasts up to 45 days, while the tree is enveloped in a sweet-spicy, rather strong aroma.

Trees are able to tolerate frosts down to -27 ° C, but for landscaping it is used only in the south of the country, along with Asian species and spectacular large-flowered magnolia.

Magnolia Kobus (M. kobus)

Many connoisseurs of the genus recognize Magnolia Kobus as the leader in unpretentiousness and cold resistance. As early as the century before last, seedlings of the culture came to the United States, and then to Europe. Although the Japanese magnolia was no match for the local large-leaved magnolia, its hardiness has helped it thrive in city streets and colder climates.

The species, originally from the Japanese islands and Korea, is now successfully cultivated from the Russian Black Sea coast to St. Petersburg, from Kaliningrad to Samara. In the garden, this magnolia, although inferior to wild-growing specimens, still reaches a height of 10 meters.

The trunk and branches of the kobushi tree, as the tree is called in its homeland, are covered with gray or ash brownish bark. Leaves up to 12 cm long are green and smooth above, and noticeably lighter below, with a wrinkled grayish surface.

Like many Asian magnolias, kobus flowers in mid-spring when the branches are still bare. This gives the moment a special solemnity and bewitching beauty. White, as if molded from fine porcelain, flowers consist of six petals and reach 10 cm in diameter. The ripening of yellow-green fruits containing similar seeds occurs in the middle of calendar autumn.

Magnolia Sulange (M. soulangeana)

The fascination with magnolias that struck Europe in the middle of the 19th century caused the appearance of new plants not found in nature. These were hybrids from cross-pollination of specimens growing in parks, greenhouses and botanical gardens. An example of an incredibly happy accident was the pink magnolia Sulange. Received it from the parent pair of M. denudata x M. liliflora.

Today, the most common magnolia in the world and indispensable in landscape design, magnolia is found in the southern regions of Russia, as well as in Primorye. Compared with lily-colored and naked magnolias, the new form turned out to be more decorative and plastic.

Today, there are several dozen varieties of magnolia sulange, differing in the shape and color of flowers.

Trees or shrubs about 5 m high bloom readily and profusely. Corollas up to 15 cm in diameter open on bare branches covered with smooth grayish bark. A distinctive feature of the species is the bright pink, red or purple color of the outer side of the petals and almost white inside. The flowers are characterized by a subtle, sometimes subtle aroma.

Magnolia Loebner (M. x loebneri)

At the beginning of the last century, another hybrid plant was obtained in Germany, which over time earned the title of one of the most winter-hardy. Named after the creator of magnolia Lebner, as in the photo, it combines the features of its "parents". From magnolia Kobus, she received winter hardiness and size, incredible for a southern plant. White or pinkish flowers, combining up to 25 petals, are no less spectacular than those of star magnolia.

The plant, about 7 meters tall, can be grown as a traditional tree or as a multi-stemmed shrub. Buds that turn into flowers up to 15 cm in diameter. They densely cover still bare branches, creating a magnificent, memorable picture.

Magnolia nude (M. denudata)

According to the monastic annals of the Tang era, one of the first types of magnolia used to decorate the landscape was the naked magnolia with white fragrant flowers up to 15 cm in diameter.

Outwardly, deciduous trees or 8–10 meter shrubs resemble magnolia sulange. This is not surprising, since the variety from China is obviously one of the ancestors of the popular hybrid.

What makes the plant unique is the flowering that begins in early spring, when the leaf buds have not yet awakened and the brownish shoots remain bare. At first, the bare magnolia trees are covered with large buds in silvery fluffy scales. Then they turn into snow-white fragrant flowers, which for many centuries were considered a symbol of purity and divine purity in the Celestial Empire.

Flowering plants are in collections in the Far East and in European regions from the North Caucasus to the Chernozem region.

Willow magnolia (M. salicifolia)

In Japan, another magnolia grows with white flowers and the highest degree of hardiness. This is a willow-leaved magnolia, with beauty not inferior to the previous species, and winter hardiness - magnolia kobus.

The name of the plant is due to narrow elliptical leaves about 15 cm long. They appear after flowering, in which the tree is covered with spectacular flowers with a diameter of 12 centimeters. Both greens and magnolia flowers emit a sweet and spicy aroma of anise, which determined the second name of the Anise Magnolia species.

Despite the mass of advantages, plants are rarely found in collections. The reason is the difficulty of seed propagation.

In the gardens of China and other countries of the region, you can find lily magnolia, so named due to the original shape of the corollas. The plant is actively used for hybridization and obtaining decorative forms.

One of them is most popular in Europe and Russia. This is the magnolia nigra (M. liliflora f. nigra) shown in the photo with purple flowers. Outside, the color of the petals is dark, inside the corolla looks pink.

Fans of gracefully flowering plants will be delighted with the star magnolia from Japan. A low-growing magnolia, not exceeding 2-3 meters in height, grows in the form of a small, neat tree or shrub. The latter form allows you to evaluate the mass flowering, which begins before the foliage unfolds and lasts up to three weeks.

Some connoisseurs claim that the star magnolia is a natural dwarf form of another popular species, the kobus magnolia. Their opinion confirms the external similarity of plants. However, a miniature, slowly growing variety is somewhat more afraid of frost. This does not prevent gardeners from growing magnolia in the southern regions, and even in the Moscow region.

Photo of magnolias in landscape design

Beautiful flowering trees in any landscape occupy a dominant place.

At the same time, magnolias look great against the backdrop of urban buildings and rural expanses, in parks where trees are adjacent to other plants, and in solitary plantings.

Video about the types of magnolia for a summer cottage

Surely, many people at least once had to stop in the spring in front of someone's yard or garden, involuntarily admiring an unusual picture - luxurious pink, white or purple flowers on a beautiful and delicate tree without leaves. This is a magnolia blossom. At first glance, it may seem that only experienced gardeners can grow such a miracle by investing a lot of money and putting in a lot of effort. Let's try to figure out if this is so by talking about how to grow a magnolia.

Magnolia (Magnolia)- deciduous or evergreen ornamental tree and shrub from 2 to 30 m high with beautiful large flowers up to 25 cm in diameter, which are located one at the end of the branches.

This is a very old plant. There is an opinion that it is the progenitor of modern flowering plants. This tree is popular in China, where there are many beliefs about it.

Did you know? Magnolia is valued not only for its beauty. Its leaves, flowers and fruits contain essential oils that help with high blood pressure, rheumatism and digestive problems. They are also used in perfumery.

The tree came to Europe in the 17th century and it was here that it got its name - Magnolia - in honor of the director of one of the botanical gardens in France, Pierre Magnol. Since then, breeders have bred a huge range of species and varieties of magnolia. Today, about 80 species are cultivated, different in shape and size of the crown, color and shape of flowers.

Magnolia: choosing a landing site

Before you take care of growing magnolia in your garden and caring for it, you need to choose the right type, variety and place for planting. Since the main problem of the magnolia tree is poor frost tolerance, when choosing a plant species, you need to pay attention to how cold the winters in your area are, and which species is suitable for your climatic conditions. The most frost-resistant are Kobus and Lebner magnolias. Magnolia Sulange, Wilson, Ash tolerate the harsh winters relatively well.

When choosing a place for planting, it must be borne in mind that this plant does not tolerate drafts, so the site, if possible, should be covered from the wind from the north and east, for example, by taller trees.

Important! Do not plant magnolia under fruit trees, as falling fruits can damage the flowers and break the branches of the plant.

It is necessary to take care of sufficient illumination of the place so that the tree is not located in deep shade. Also, direct sunlight should not penetrate the plant. Exceptions may be for magnolias Lebner, Kobus and stellate, which can grow in open areas. Kobus is also resistant to exhaust gases and industrial emissions, which allows it to be planted near busy highways and in industrial areas.

Today, magnolia is often used in landscape gardening, so many recommendations have been written on how to grow a flower tree with your own hands, the main of which we share with you.

When to plant magnolia in the garden

The tree can be planted both in spring and autumn. Although experienced magnolia owners still recommend the latter option. This is due to the fact that before the autumn planting, the plant is at rest, and it is easier for him to endure the winter. And during the spring planting, the tree begins active growth, gives a large increase and often meets winter already with shoots, which by this time have not yet had time to become covered with wood and die off.

How to plant a magnolia

Magnolia is not very whimsical, but when planting and caring for it, you must follow some simple rules, which, first of all, relate to the composition of the soil, watering and feeding.

Soil composition

Magnolia seedlings are best purchased in well-established specialized stores. Usually there they are sold in containers. Such plants tolerate both spring and autumn planting well, as they are planted with a clod of earth to which they have already adapted. Gardeners with experience for planting recommend purchasing plants 1 m tall with a couple of flowers that have already blossomed. This way you will know for sure that your local climate is suitable for this type of magnolia.

The soil for planting should be light, well-drained and moderately moist. Neutral or slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter, is perfect.

Important! Magnolias are contraindicated in calcareous and saline soil.

If the soil in your area is limed, then peat can be added to it, which will increase the acidity.

Optimal soil composition:

• deciduous or sod land - 1;
• peat - 2;
• sand - 0.5.

Magnolia Planting Scheme

A pit for planting should be prepared in advance, 3-5 times the size of the tree's root system. Drainage is poured at the bottom of the pit - 15 cm high. Then a layer of sand (10 cm), a layer of manure (15 cm), again a layer of sand (15 cm) and the prepared soil mixture are laid. After that, the seedling is placed in a hole and covered with earth, while making sure that the root neck is not buried. The maximum recommended depth is 2.5 cm. The earth should be lightly tamped and watered abundantly. The near-trunk area can be covered with coniferous bark, which will allow you to maintain the desired level of moisture.

Magnolia does not tolerate transplants, so it must be immediately planted in a permanent place. If you plan to plant several trees, then the distance between them should be at least 4-5 m.

Features of caring for magnolia

Once a magnolia is properly planted, its well-being will depend on its care. There are no fundamental differences from caring for ordinary fruit trees in this case.

Watering the plant

You need to water only young plants, and in the dry season and adults. For the well-being of the tree, it needs watering once a week in the amount of 2-3 buckets of water. If the summer is too dry or magnolia grows in sandy soil, then the regularity and abundance of watering can be increased.

soil care

The roots of magnolias are superficial, so the earth in the root area must be loosened to a depth of 20 cm, and this should be done with caution, preferably without using either a shovel or a rake. Weeds are best pulled out by hand. After the tree reaches 3 years, the trunk circle can be mulched with organic materials (coniferous bark, peat, sawdust, manure). This will warm the soil and serve as an additional source of nutrients. After this procedure, the earth can no longer be loosened.

When and how to fertilize magnolia

It is necessary to feed and fertilize a tree no earlier than 2 years after planting it. In early spring, you can feed your beauty with a mixture of 1 kg of mullein, 15 g of urea, 25 g of ammonium nitrate. In early autumn, fertilizing with nitroammophos (20 g / 10 l of water) is useful. Irrigation rate - 40 liters per tree.

You can use the fertilizer "Kemira-Universal" (1 tablespoon / 10 liters of water), as well as special fertilizers "For magnolia".

Important! If at the end of July the leaves on the magnolia began to dry, this means that there was an overdose of fertilizers. In this case, the plant is prescribed weekly abundant watering.

plant pruning

Since magnolias do not tolerate pruning, this procedure is necessary only for decorative purposes in the first years after planting to give the desired shape to the crown. It is contraindicated to get involved in this process, as this can provoke less active flowering. In the future, only sanitary pruning is recommended once a year, in which dry, bent, damaged branches are removed. If the crown is thickened, then it thins out. In order for the sections to heal quickly, they must be covered with garden pitch.

Magnolia: how to save a plant in winter

Mature trees tolerate temperatures down to -25-30°C in winter. Therefore, the question of how to preserve a mature magnolia in winter is no longer in front of its owner. But you need to worry about young plants. In the first 3 years, their lower part of the trunk and the root system (or even the entire tree) must be insulated with special agrofabric (lutrasil), burlap, straw or spruce branches. With age, the frost resistance of magnolias increases.

In subsequent years, the ground in the trunk circle in the fall should be mulched with sawdust, pine bark, and peat.

Magnolia Propagation Methods

Magnolias reproduce in three ways:

• seeds,
• layering and cuttings,
• vaccinations.

seeds

In nature, magnolias reproduce by seeds dispersed by birds. You can also try to sow a tree from seeds. This should be done in the fall, immediately after picking the berries. Or postpone until spring, but keep the seeds in the refrigerator in a plastic bag.

Pre-seeds must be filled with water for 3 days, and then cleaned from a dense oily shell (for example, by rubbing through a sieve). After cleaning, they should be washed in a mild soapy solution and rinsed in clean water several times. Sow in boxes 3 cm deep in universal soil. Remove the containers to the cellar until spring. In early March, they need to be moved to the windowsill before germination. Seedlings can be planted in a year. So you will have a magnolia grown by your own hands, by the time of the birth of which you will already know well how to care for it.