Sensational Saucer Magnolia

Bright pink, goblet-shaped blooms rise to toast spring and bid winter farewell.

You call it tulip tree, and your neighbor says saucer magnolia. You swear the flowers are pale pink, and your neighbor insists the one she grew up with was purple. But both of you agree on one thing: The display of flowers is showstopping. You are both fans of a deciduous magnolia, Magnolia x soulangeana.

The signature blooms, which begin appearing when plants are still young, show up before the leaves as early as late January in select areas of the Coastal South and continue as foliage appears. Blooming begins later in cooler regions, occurring from late February into early March in the Middle and Upper South.

Standing upright when young, multistemmed specimens are often sold as large shrubs. With age and minimal selective pruning, the plant will mature into a low-branching small tree. Expect a 10-year-old plant to be 10 to 15 feet tall and almost as wide. As a saucer magnolia matures, its oval form will soften and its crown will become more open.

Getting Started

Plant saucer magnolias in sunny locations where soil is fertile, slightly acid, and well drained. Do not put them where soil will become compacted. A good layer of mulch will keep the fleshy, shallow roots cool during hot summers. Water thoroughly but not too often to encourage deep root growth and help the plant cope with drought. Saucer magnolias can be grown in mildly alkaline soils, but if foliage looks yellow, treat with iron chelates according to package directions.

Temperatures below freezing can do a number on flowers and buds. When buying plants, choose laterflowering selections to reduce the risk of frost damage. If this does occur, nursery owner Don Shadow of Winchester, Tennessee, recommends that you "sit tight, and let nature take its course." After a few months, if you see dead tips on the branches, remove them. Other than that, you're better off doing nothing.

Making Arrangements

Saucer magnolia flowers are lovely displayed indoors. To force blooms, cut branches when buds swell and start to show a tinge of color. Arrange branches in a sturdy vase filled with warm water. This method is especially useful if cold weather might ruin the blooms if they're left on the tree.

Whether you call it saucer magnolia or tulip tree, it's a welcome addition to any garden. REBECCA BULL REED

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Feb 2005
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