Magnolia dianica Summer Snowflake

The Magnolia dianica Summer Snowflake, is a beautiful variety of a bush formerly called Michelia yunnaensis, which originates from western China. More floriferous than others, it also offers larger, fragrant white flowers emerging from big pink buds from May to July. This evergreen bush also has a compact and bushy habit well suited for small spaces, and abundant glossy foliage that is attractive throughout the year. Its hardiness is moderate; it should be grown in a pot in very cold regions and stored in a cold greenhouse during winter, or in open ground in milder climates. This magnolia prefers slightly acidic, well-drained, moist but not too dry soils, in a sunny to semi-shaded position.

The Magnolia Summer Snowflake belongs to the Magnoliaceae family, and shares with magnolias fresh green glossy foliage and star-shaped flowers. This variety comes from the Magolia dianica, a not very hardy species native to the forests of Southwest China.

The 'Summer Snowflake' variety, selected in 1997, stands out with a bushier and more compact habit, quick flowering on young plants, increased hardiness and flower production, as well as larger flowers. It is a branching bush with a rounded habit, reaching a height of 3m (9.8ft) and a width of 2.5m (6.6ft) at maturity when grown in open ground, maintaining more modest proportions in pots. It has a short trunk supporting a wide and airy canopy, arranged in a fan shape. From autumn onwards, large velvet brown buds appear all along its branches, located in the axil of each leaf. From early spring, earlier or later depending on the region, until summer, the pink buds open up into magnolia flowers, at least 7cm (2.8in) wide, composed of oval petals, thick in texture, with a waxy white colour, and showing in their centre a bouquet of pale yellow, protruding stamens surrounding a granular greenish club-shaped pistil. Their scent is lemony. The foliage is attractive, leathery, medium green and shiny, composed of entire and ovate leaves, 6 to 8cm (3.1in) long, with a lighter fuzzy underside. The flowers are pollinated by small beetles, then bear a cluster of round and fused fruits, each containing a seed surrounded by red pulp.

Plant the Michelia Summer Snowflake to showcase it: as a standalone plant, near a path to enjoy its fragrance, or in a large container on the terrace (protect during winter).  In mild climates, it will work well as a specimen plant in a lawn, or mixed in a bed, in a natural hedge with bushes (Viburnum odoratissimum), Japanese privets (Ligustrum japonicum), or even as a trimmed hedge by the sea. It can be used as a screen and a backdrop for small group of plants. In this use, it will provide excellent perches for songbirds, further accentuating its charm. This bush is well suited for topiary art.

The Michelia champaca, a close relative, is a bush cultivated in India, from which a highly sought-after essential oil is extracted for perfumery.