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Magnolia soulangeana Lennei

Magnolia x soulangeana Lennei
Magnolia

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A hybrid famous for its abundant, large 15 cm (5.9 in) flowers, which resemble bicoloured tulips, pink to dark purple, contrasting with a pinkish-white centre from April to May! It forms a large shrub or small tree, often with multiple trunks, reaching 5 m (16 ft 5 in) in height and spread when fully grown. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part-shade, in deep, moist, well-drained, rich, fairly acidic soil.
Flower size
15 cm
Height at maturity
5 m
Spread at maturity
5 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Lennei' or Saucer Magnolia is a hybrid famous for its large, long-lasting two-toned spring flowers. From April to May, its large tulip-shaped flowers with fleshy dark pink to purple petals and pure white to pinkish-white centres appear on its beautiful bare framework, offering one of the most lavish and romantic displays of spring! It forms a large shrub or small tree often with several trunks dividing into large framework of branches with a beautifully spreading crown which makes it suitable for planting as a free-standing specimen or in beds. It will reach 5m (16ft 5 in) in height and spread when fully grown and is therefore best suited for medium to large gardens. A glade or light-woodland species, it is very easy to grow in full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location, in deep, rich, moist, well-drained, soil with little to no chalk. Despite its excellent hardiness, its flower buds remain sensitive to late frosts.

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Lennei' belongs to the Magnoliaceae family. It is a hybrid whose origins are unknown, resulting from a cross between Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliflora, both native to Asia. The cultivar was named after the German botanist Peter Joseph Lenné, who discovered it in the mid-19th century in Lombardy, Italy. This fast-growing tree reaches 5 m (16 ft 5 in) in height and spread at maturity. It often has an upright to spreading habit with a well-balanced and beautifully branched structure, and it can also grow on multiple trunks. Its deciduous foliage consists of obovate, dark green leaves with a paler and finely-haired underside, turning yellow-brown in autumn, and measuring 10 to 15 cm (3.9 - 5.9 in) long. From April to May, depending on the area, before and after the leaves, large solitary and slightly fragrant, cup or tulip-shaped flowers appear, 15 cm (5.9 in) in length and width, ranging from dark pink to purple on the outside, and pale pink to white on the inside. These upright flowers open from buds protected by velvety bracts, and are composed of 9 waxy and thick tepals (indistinguishable sepals and petals) that open wide around a core of reddish-brown stamens. After flowering, brown cone-shaped fruits appear, containing red seeds. The Saucer Magnolia can live for over a hundred years. Along with its hybrids, it is one of the most widely planted Magnolias in parks and gardens throughout Europe.

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Lennei', an exceptional ornamental tree, will create just as much of a sensation in a medium-sized garden as it will in a vast park! It thrives in any good garden soil that is not too chalky. Be careful not to place other plants within 1.50m (4 in 11 ft) of the Magnolia's trunk, as its shallow roots do not tolerate competition. A real star at flowering time, it is most often used as a free-standing specimen in the middle of a lawn, near a bench, or at the entrance of a garden. The key is to choose a strategic location from which it can be admired from a window. It can also be used in a border of ericaceous shrubs (Rhododendrons, Camellias, Hydrangeas, Kalmia) for a Japanese-style garden.

 

Magnolias are ancient trees, with fossils dating back over 20 million years. Their magnificent flowering is considered one of the most primitive: their flowers are close to the earliest existing flowers in evolutionary terms. The bark of magnolias has medicinal properties and is used in cosmetics. Their wood is considered precious.



A bit of history:
Its name, Magnolia, was given to it in 1703 by Charles Plumier, botanist to King Louis XIV, paying tribute to the physician-botanist Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), who was one of the directors of the Montpellier Botanical Garden in the late 17th century. Its species name, soulangeana, originates from Etienne Soulange-Bodin (1774-1846), a retired cavalry officer in Napoleon's army who devoted himself to horticulture. At his château in Fromont near Paris, he became passionate about Magnolias and bred this hybrid in 1829, the origin of a magnificent lineage of cultivars today!

Magnolia soulangeana Lennei in pictures

Magnolia soulangeana Lennei (Flowering) Flowering
Magnolia soulangeana Lennei (Foliage) Foliage
Magnolia soulangeana Lennei (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 m
Spread at maturity 5 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 15 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, Floral, soft, sweet.
Fruit colour black

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Magnolia

Species

x soulangeana

Cultivar

Lennei

Family

Magnoliaceae

Other common names

Magnolia

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1001512

Planting and care

The Magnolia x soulangeana 'Lennei' prefers sheltered, sunny to semi-shaded positions, in a deep, rich, moist to damp (but well-drained), humus-rich, neutral to acidic soil. It does well in clay soils that are not waterlogged, and even tolerates a small amount alkaline in the soil. It does not, however, tolerate poor, dry soils, nor windy locations. Although it is hardy (down to -20°C (-4°F)), it is essential to protect young plants from frost in the first years after planting. It should be noted that late frosts and cold winds can damage flower buds and young leaves, thus affecting flowering. Magnolias can be planted in spring or autumn, outside of frosty periods, taking care to protect them from cold winds. Prepare a hole 80 cm (31.5 in) wide and deep, with a good amount of ericaceous soil and compost. Take care to gently place the root ball in the hole, so as not to break the fleshy but fragile roots. Immediate watering with alkaline-free water (rainwater) helps to settle the soil around the roots. During the first year of planting, the Magnolia requires watering once a week. It will appreciate a soil amendment once a year in spring. When planting in chalky soil, it is advisable to replace your soil with peat, pine bark, leaf compost, and ericaceous soil. To help your tree establish, do not choose plants that are too tall (1.50 m (5 ft) is a good size). Staking may be necessary if the tree is a large specimen. Water generously in the first few years. The Magnolia does not tolerate prolonged drought, so the soil should kept slightly moist (but not waterlogged) throughout the summer. It is recommended to mulch around the base to keep it cool during the hot season. Enrich the soil, and protect it from the cold in winter. During the first few years, it can be pruned after flowering to shape its form. The tree is slow growing in the first few years after planting. After 4 to 5 years, it will be well-established, its growth will accelerate, and pruning will no longer be necessary, except to remove dead wood and rebalance its shape. Due to its fragile roots, transplanting should be avoided. The enemies of the Magnolia are parasites such as scale insects, snails, and slugs that attack young plants, and fungal diseases such as root rot (in excessively waterlogged soil), coral disease, and leaf blight (Pestalozzia). It should be noted that the Saucer Magnolia is one of the ornamental trees that tolerates air pollution best.

 

 

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral, Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, light, fertile

Care

Pruning instructions During the first few years, a pruning after flowering can be done to shape its silhouette.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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