Magnolia
Simply Magnificent! Magnolias are a very ancient genus with fossilized remains showing their presence on earth even before the honey bee arrived. As a result of this you will find that Magnolias are usually pollinated by some form of beetle. The genus was not actually called Magnolia until the 17th century when they were named after a French professor of Botany called Pierre Magnol. Deciduous Magnolias are from Asia and evergreen Magnolias are mostly from America.
These days a strong influence on the development of the genus comes not from France, Asia or America but New Zealand. The Jury family from Taranaki and Oswald Blumhardt from Northland have raised many highly desirable hybrids and introduced them to the world. If you want to plant a New Zealand bred deciduous Magnolia look for such delights as "Athene", "Atlas", "Iolanthe", "Vulcan" and "Star Wars" to name just a few.
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Once you have chosen a Magnolia or 3 then this is one tree that must have the correct planting position. This is important for many reasons, not the least being that they resent being moved. The trees do not have a tap root but their fibrous roots are sensitive to disturbance. Do your best to choose a sunny position away from strong cold winds. Magnolias can tolerate frost, however a late frost in spring could damage the emerging flower buds.
The soil must be free draining and if possible rich with organic matter. If your soil is poor, add some compost, rotted leaf mould or peat and mix in well. As with many trees with fibrous roots, Magnolias don';;;;;t like their surface roots getting too hot so they will thank you for a nice layer of mulch aplied just before summer. They are acid lovers, so a side dressing of acid fertilizer aplied in early spring will also keep them hapy. You can buy especially formulated acid fertilizer from any good garden centre. Never aply lime. Water well during dry periods.
Magnolias need space to grow to really show off their beauty so consider this when planting. Little pruning should be required other than to maintain a nice shape.
Now sit back and wait for spring when the bare branches of deciduous Magnolias will be covered with beautiful large goblets with a tantalizing perfume. The colour choice ranges from crisp white, softest to deepest pink, ruby red, wine red and warm yellow.
Evergreen Magnolias have large scented cream flowers that apear in summer and autumn. In contrast to the above they are far more tolerant of wind and can cope with more moisture in the soil. Whilst I adore the deciduous Magnolias I respect the evergreen cultivars and would not be without them in the garden. The large dark green glossy foliage with tactile russet under-felt always looks good. Top that off with beautiful waxy cream flowers with a fresh fruity fragrance and you have a very handsome specimen tree. Definitely on my top 10 list.
Magnolias should not be overlooked in any planting scheme; I certainly would not consider creating a garden without them.
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46 LISTINGS
Raised in NZ by Vance Hooper this hybrid will flower from a young age. Its growth habit is shrub like but with upright growing branches. The spring flowers are large and a rich deep violet red shade. Dark green foliage. Plant in a wind free spot in acid soil. Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 3m x 2.5m
Magnolia Amethyst Flame
Current Stock Height: 50/60 cm ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
A magnificent Felix Jury hybrid that will flower well from a young age for those of you who want instant gratification. The flowers are large with lilac-pink exteriors and pale pink interiors and appear in late winter. Happiest in a sheltered spot and acid soil. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 5m x 3.5m
Magnolia Apollo
Current Stock Height: 90/110 cm ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
A NZ hybrid with blooms of immense proportions. Up to 36cm! Simply breath taking when in full bloom. The flowers are pink on the outside and pure white inside. As the blooms are so large it is important to plant in a sheltered position to avoid wind damage. Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 8m x 4m
Magnolia Atlas
Current Stock Height: 130/140 cm ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
Bred in NZ by Os Blumhardt and what a great legacy this beautiful Magnolia is. Simply sumptuous large blooms of rich deep pink will delight your senses in spring. Narrow upright habit. Plant in a wind free spot in acid soil for best results. Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 4m x 3m
Magnolia Aurora
Current Stock Height: 110/125 ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
An exciting new Magnolia bred in Brixton, Taranaki which is sure to gain world wide attention. Flower buds form after the 1st year of planting and open to large rich pink blooms with a soft inner blush. Breath taking in full bloom and worthy of a place in any garden.Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 4m x 3.5m
Magnolia Brixton Belle
Current Stock Height: 110/120 cm ?
Container: pb18 ?
$59.99
An exceptionally hardy Joe McDaniel hybrid producing most unusually coloured, beautiful blossoms in late spring after damage from late frosts has passed. Each erect, fragrant flower reveals complementary hues of yellow, green, purple and rose. Prefers heavy, rich and moist lime free soil in a sheltered position, but quite adaptable.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 10m x 6m
Magnolia Brooklynensis Woodsman
Current Stock Height: 120/150 ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
Stock of this item is very low.
Sumptuous sculptured blooms that are large and rounded. The outer petals are reddish-purple in tone complementing the inner petals which are blushed white. Prolific bloomer in mid spring. Plant in a sheltered spot in acid soil for best results. PVR. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 4m x 3m
Magnolia Cameo
Current Stock Height: 100/130 cm ?
Container: pb18 ?
$59.99
A Magnolia with all the right heritage as it was raised at Kew in the 1940's. The buds are a seductive blush rose pink. The blooms are large - 23cm - and fragrant. Plant in a sheltered spot in acid soil.
Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 7m x 5m
Magnolia Charles Raffill
Current Stock Height: 130/140 ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
A lovely Magnolia with traditional cup and saucer flowers. These are white with a hint of pink at the base. The tree blooms at an early age and is reputed to be 'one of the best white magnolias'. Protect from strong winds. Deciduous. Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 7m x 4m
Magnolia David Clulow
Current Stock Height: 140/170 cm ?
Container: pb18 ?
$49.99
This Magnolia flowers a little later in Spring than most. The flowers are deep reddish pink at the base fading to pale pink towards the top. The tree has a good strong pyramidal shape making it an ideal feature tree. Plant in a sunny sheltered spot in acid soil. Deciduous.
Est.10yr.growth.
Habit: Upright
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 8m x 4m
Magnolia Galaxy
Current Stock Height: 100/120 cm ?
Container: pb12 ?
$54.99
Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: Open 7 days 8:30am-5pm