Magnolia - beauty for your garden: growing and caring

Magnolia. If you once saw this beauty, then never forget. The desire to see her in his garden will haunt. But which variety to choose and how to care? Today we will help you in solving this issue.

Magnolia: species and varieties

Magnolia: flower photo

Choosing "your" magnolia variety, be guided first of all by your desires in the end result. A garden or the center of a composition, or maybe an addition to a ready-made solution. My first acquaintance with magnolia was almost 20 years ago. Variety Kobus The age of the seedling is 2-3 years, if I may say so, it was obtained by a "heavenly miracle" in the botanical garden. I patiently waited for the first flowering for almost 12 years, but today this beauty is more than 5 meters high, which pleases me with the aroma of its flowering every year from the end of April to the beginning of May.

Magnolia variety Kobus was brought to us from Japan. Suitable for beginner gardeners and experienced magnolia growers. He is not whimsical in care, for planting in the garden, a ready-made seedling is mainly taken, but it can also be grown from seeds that are harvested in September.

Another guest from Japan is Willow Magnolia. The tree is pyramidal, flowering in April. Bell-shaped white flowers will fill your garden with aniseed scent.

And the last for today Japanese star Magnolia is widely used in the design of gardens and parks. It begins to bloom one of the first, in connection with which it is worth protecting it from spring frosts that harm the flowers of the plant, and planting it only in places protected from the wind.

Magnolia and lily-colored magnolia were brought from China to our country. The first is poured in large flowers painted in a creamy white bed and in two variants of the shape of a bush or a tree. The second, at the time of flowering, is filled with bright purple flowers of an incredible goblet shape.

The next type of Siebold's magnolia is found in three countries: China, Korea, Japan, but our country's gardeners also grow this species. Siebold has a characteristic shape of flowers and blooms in comparison with the above species for a rather long time from May to June.

Let us single out a general list of tree-like large-leaved magnolias: obovate (Japan), medicinal (China), three-petal (North America)

All these magnolias have leaves up to half a cm in length, flowers are white and large in size, white, pineal fruits. The growth process is active up to 100 cm annually.

Magnolia: which seedling to buy?

Magnolia: flower photo

I note again that if you decide what to buy and plant a magnolia, you will see its first flowering 10-12 years after the seeds are sown.

Unfortunately, there are some pitfalls in store-bought magnolia saplings that you may not notice right away. Stores carry out purchases mainly in European countries, and the climate there is much milder than in our latitudes. The risk of such a purchase is that it does not give you a guarantee that your plant will not freeze up the next winter after planting. And given the cost of seedlings, disappointment can double.

What is the solution? Choose young trees about one meter in height, you must have at least 1 - 2 flower buds, so based on the flower you can determine the correctness of your choice.

Magnolias grow intensively and adapt well to weather conditions. It is worth noting that young plants take root easier and better than large magnolia seedlings.

7 years ago, a Sulange Alexandrina sapling appeared in my garden, only 6 cm high, the first flowering was not long in coming and delighted me the very next season, and the annual growth was 60-70 cm.

In 80% of cases, seedlings of wild-growing magnolia hybrids are sold. Dozens and hundreds of varieties of various shades and shapes have already been bred.

The leader can be safely considered the Sulandzha magnolia, the result of crossing a lily-flowered and a naked magnolia. The forms of this hybrid include: Alexandrina, Ammabilis, Linne, Rosea, Verbanika.

Susan, Betty, George Henry Kern, Leonard Messe are hybrids rich in bright colors and require minimal and simple maintenance.

Magnolia Vadas Memori will delight you with large snow-white flowers, fragrant with aromas of citrus and anise, obtained thanks to a mixture of willow and magnolia of the Kobus species.

Remember that if you choose a hybrid for your garden, then it will be more prone to freezing in winter, but you will have a wide range of colors and shapes.

Planting magnolia and growing

Magnolia: flower photo

To the main advantages of magnolia, we will designate the village: not whimsical, growth intensity and resistance to pest attacks.

You are well prepared, and now your magnolia is waiting for you for planting and proper care. A rich assortment of relevant literature will help you in these matters, and I will supplement your knowledge with observations from personal experience.

Contrary to popular advice, I plant my magnolias in late fall. The growing season has already passed and the plants are at rest. Justify my choice:

• A young magnolia tree planted in the soil in the spring immediately begins to actively develop, and as a result, a large increase. Since the plant spends the main vitality on these processes, then by winter it does not woody with shoots, and most likely will freeze in winter, after which you will have a long recovery period. When choosing an autumn planting, you can choose a seedling that has laid flower buds, that is, prepared for winter.
• An important plus is the price. Autumn is not the season for buying magnolias and you will save about 20-30% of the original price.

Useful Tips

Magnolia: flower photo

The root system of an unplanned young magnolia sapling does not like dryness.

Magnolia does not tolerate wind and drafts, choose a planting site that is suitable for these parameters.

Dense soil should be loosened or mixed with sand. Stagnant water should also be avoided and drainage can help. Do not forget about fertilizing the soil, magnolias treat organics like horse manure well, and it is good to add wood ash to the planting pit.

Fertilize the soil no later than June.

Carry out soil mulching within a radius of 50 cm, which will reduce moisture evaporation.

Young plants need regular watering.

Protect your magnolia soil during the winter. Fallen foliage, pine bark, needles are suitable for shelter.

Magnolias are prone to chlorosis, at the first sign, treat the soil under the plant and spray the leaves with a diluted solution of iron chelate.

A planting chart is a great helper in your gardening. Magnolias stretch up to 10 m and reach a width of 4-5 meters. If there is not enough space on the site, plant magnolia in groups (3-4) in which 1 will be tree-like, and the rest are bush.

conclusions

Magnolia: flower photo

Magnolia is addictive to the grower. Having planted one, you will get your portion of pleasure, satisfy the first interest, but you are unlikely to stop there. New species and varieties will not give you peace of mind.

20 years ago, my acquaintance with the first species of Kobus took place, and now the whole family is engaged in growing collection species.

I wish you to find, acquire and grow your own magnolia, a hybrid or not, it's up to you, but believe me, you will not be disappointed.