Magnolia x brooklynensis Sunsation

The Sunsation Magnolia is a fairly sensational hybrid variety recently developed in the USA that will delight enthusiasts and collectors of rare and original varieties. This magnolia is undoubtedly the first to produce large flowers that are almost bi-coloured, in shades of yellow and rose-violet with a hint of green. They bloom quite late in spring, protecting the precious flower buds from late frosts. Of medium stature, this deciduous small tree with an ample and pyramidal habit is also adorned with elegant dark green foliage. Like all magnolias, it thrives in a moist, preferably neutral or acidic soil, in full sun or partial shade.  

This Magnolia, belonging to the magnolia family, is an American horticultural creation (Caroline), resulting from the crossbreeding between the vigorous Magnolia x brooklynensis 'Woodsman', very floriferous and hardy, with pink and yellow-green flowers, and the M. 'Elizabeth', smaller, with pale yellow flowers.  A vigorous small tree with a broadly conical shape, slightly taller than wide, it reaches an average height of 7 meters (23 feet) at maturity, with a width of 5 meters (16 feet). It grows quite rapidly and has a single trunk. Its deciduous foliage consists of large dark green leaves, with a paler and finely villous underside. From May to June, among the very young leaves, large solitary flowers bloom, reaching a height of 17 to 20 cm (7 to 8 in), slightly fragrant. The buds that precede the flowering are protected by silky and colourful bracts, followed by tulip-shaped flowers with 6-7 waxy and thick tepals (indistinguishable sepals and petals), golden yellow to anise green, washed and veined with rose-violet, with the inner face more strongly tinged with mauve pink at full bloom. They gradually open in a cup shape, revealing numerous orange stamens. 

This Magnolia, an excellent ornamental tree, will work wonders in both medium-sized gardens and large parks. It is most often used as a solitary specimen in the middle of a short grass meadow, where its original watercolour-like flowering is truly stunning. It can also be associated with a mass planting of acid-loving shrubs (Rhododendrons, Camellias, Hydrangeas, Pieris, Kalmia...), for a Japanese-style garden. It is also possible to create beautiful flowering hedges along pathways, alternating this Magnolia with other cultivars (Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia denudata...), flowering apple or cherry trees, mock oranges, lilacs, kolkwitzia... according to your preferences. 

Anecdote: 
Magnolias are ancient trees, with fossils dating back more than 20 million years. Their magnificent flowering is considered one of the most primitive: their flowers are, from an evolutionary point of view, similar to the earliest existing flowers. 
The bark of magnolias has medicinal properties and is used in cosmetics. 
Their wood is considered precious. 

 
 
Historical note: 
Its name, Magnolia, was given to it in 1703 by Charles Plumier, botanist of 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 at the end of the 17th century. Its species name, soulangeana, originates from Etienne Soulange-Bodin (1774-1846), a retired cavalry officer from Napoleon's army who devoted himself to horticulture. In his château de Fromont, near Paris, he was passionate about Magnolias and obtained this hybrid in 1829, which today is the origin of a magnificent lineage of cultivars!