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Magnolia Spectrum

Magnolia Spectrum
Magnolia

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A deciduous magnolia reaching a height of 6 m (19 ft 8 in), very floriferous, with an upright habit and rapid growth. In late March or early April, numerous light purple floral buds open on its naked branches, revealing large dark pink tulip-like flowers. Each one slowly opens into a cup shape, revealing a much lighter pink interior. Stunning when planted alone in a garden, this variety adapts to any non-limestone soil, remaining moist in summer.
Flower size
11 cm
Height at maturity
6 m
Spread at maturity
3 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, October to November
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Flowering time March to April
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Description

The Magnolia Spectrum is an American variety that combines qualities; with an upright, elegant habit, flowering from a young age, this small tree is distinguished by its intensely coloured flowering, visible from a distance and extremely decorative in early spring. Its light purple flower buds open into large dark pink tulips, slowly unfolding into a graceful cup with a pearly pink interior, much lighter. 'Spectrum' forms a magnificent specimen in a few years, which should be showcased in the garden. Hardy, it thrives in any non-calcareous, even clayey, moist soil.

 

This Magnolia Spectrum belongs to the magnolia family. It is a horticultural creation dating back to 1972, a sibling seedling of the 'Galaxy' variety. Its parents are the Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra', with lily-shaped flowers, and the superb M.spengeri var. Diva'. A slender tree with an initially ovoid and regular crown, it widens and rounds with age. At maturity, after about ten years, it measures approximately 6 meters (19 feet 8 inches) in height and 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) in width. Eventually, it can reach a height of 9 meters (29 feet 6 inches), depending on the growing conditions. Young plants are narrower and develop a central leader. In late March or early April, numerous large solitary flowers appear on its bare branches, standing tall at 11 cm (4.3 in), with a shape reminiscent of tulips. These flowers maintain their graceful shape for several days before fully opening, revealing 10 to 14 pointed, thick-textured petals in a light pink interior and a dark magenta exterior. They emerge from buds protected by silky bracts. Each flower's center is filled with numerous yellow stamens and a large greenish pistil. Its deciduous foliage consists of large obovate leaves, 20 cm (7.9 in) long and 10 cm (3.9 in) wide, medium green on the upper side, paler and finely villous on the underside, turning yellowish-brown in autumn before falling.

 

This Magnolia Spectrum, a quintessential ornamental tree, will work wonders in a medium to large garden, quickly becoming the star of spring. It is most often used as a solitary specimen in the middle of a short grass meadow, where its remarkable flowering is particularly striking. It can also be incorporated into a mixed border of acidophilous shrubs with staggered flowering times (large Rhododendrons, Camellias, Hydrangeas, Witch Hazels, Pieris, Anemone Trees, Fothergillas, etc.) for a Japanese-style garden. It is also possible to create large flowering hedges when space allows, alternating this Magnolia with other cultivars (Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia denudata, stellata, brooklyniensis, etc.).

 

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

Magnolia Spectrum in pictures

Magnolia Spectrum (Flowering) Flowering

Plant habit

Height at maturity 6 m
Spread at maturity 3 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour purple
Flowering time March to April
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 11 cm
Fruit colour orange

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Magnolia

Cultivar

Spectrum

Family

Magnoliaceae

Other common names

Magnolia

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference1003182

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Planting and care

The 'Spectrum' magnolia prefers sheltered situations, sunny to semi-shady exposures, a fresh, rich, limestone-free, neutral or acidic soil. It does not like overly dry soils, windy locations, or root competition, as its root system is shallow. This variety adapts well to clayey and loamy soils as long as they are not limestone-rich. With good hardiness (down to -20°C (-4 °F)), it is however advisable to protect young specimens from frost during the first years following planting. Note that late frosts and cold winds can damage flower buds and young leaves, thus affecting flowering.

Magnolia planting can be done in spring or autumn, outside the frost period, ensuring it is placed out of reach of cold winds. Provide a hole 80 cm (31.5 in) wide and deep, with a good supply of heath soil and compost. Take care to handle it delicately when placing it in the hole, so as not to break the fleshy but fragile roots. Immediate watering with non-limestone water (rainwater) helps to compact the soil around the roots. During the first year of planting, the magnolia requires watering once a week. It will appreciate an amendment once a year in spring. It is recommended to mulch its base to retain moisture during the hot season, enrich the soil, and protect it from the cold in winter. As its roots are fragile, transplanting should be avoided. The only enemies of the magnolia are parasites such as scale insects, snails, and slugs that attack young plants, as well as cryptogamic diseases such as root rot (in overly waterlogged soil), coral disease, and Pestalozzia. It is worth noting that magnolias are ornamental trees that tolerate atmospheric pollution well.

Planting period

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

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, fresh, rich, limestone-free, neutral or acidic

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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