Magnolia, Lily
Magnolia liliiflora
Magnoliaceae - Magnolia
Description
Note: Comments refer mostly to 'Susan' hybrid.
Leaves: Alternate; simple; obovate or elliptical; 4" to 7" long; 2" to 4" wide; deciduous; angled apex; dark green and glabrous above; paler and slightly hairy on veins beneath; short petiole.
Twigs/buds: Twigs fairly stout; glabrous; brown. Flower buds about 1/3" to 1/2" long, covered with hairs; other buds smaller.
Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, very dramatic, up to 7" diameter, pink-purple, with six long petals; appear early before the leaves emerge. Fruit an aggregate of follicles.
Bark: Tan to gray.
Wood: Unimportant; little information available; however, lumber from some commercial magnolia species is used for furniture, pallets, boxes, blinds, veneer, doors, and millwork.
General: Native to China. Intermediate shade tolerance.
Landscape Use: Not well known in Utah. A small shrubby tree with dramatic pink-purple flowers. Best to plant it with protection from warm winter sun, like near the north side of a building or with evergreens to the south and southwest. Zones 4-8. M. liliiflora has some cultivars, but often found as M. liliiflora x stellata hybrids. 'Susan' cultivar pictured here is one of these hybrids. I have one growing on the northwest side of my house in Logan and it has done very well for 10 years; deserves more attention in Utah. Zones 4-8.
Cultivars: 'Al's Dwarf', 'Darkest Purple', 'Doris', 'Gracilis', 'Holland Red', 'Lyons', 'Mini Mouse', 'Nigra', 'O'Neill', 'Purple Prince'.
Characteristics
General
Family | Magnoliaceae - Magnolia |
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Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | No |
Growth
Growth Rate | Low |
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Mature Height | Low |
Longevity | Medium |
Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
Crown Shapes | Shrubby |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | Yes |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | No |
Tolerance
Shade | Medium |
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Salt | Medium |
Drought | Low |
Poor Drainage | Low |
Alkalinity | Medium |
Transplanting | Low |