A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I decided to shake the cob webs off and take some pictures of the flowers at Secrest Arboretum in Wooster.
It felt good to get outside after being cooped up, and I’m sure many of you know that feeling when the weather finally invites you out.
While Sharon and I were sitting in Adirondack chairs we were admiring the beautiful tree across path. Sharon asked me what the beautiful flower was across the path across from the witch hazel display.
I said, “Wow!” That magnolia was spectacular. I don’t think that they get the proper recognition due them.
I’ve used this Saucer Magnolia, or Magnolia x soulangiana, in many of my landscape designs over the years, and I always find myself looking forward to its early flowers and the wonderful scent that fills the air each spring.
Maybe you’ve noticed a saucer magnolia blooming in your neighborhood, too — they seem to signal that winter is finally over. There are plenty of plants that let us know spring has arrived, but the Saucer Magnolia always stands out for me.
Magnolias are believed to be among the oldest flowering plants on earth. Scientists have found magnolia remnants in the fossil record dating back 20 million years. It’s amazing to think that as long as people have admired flowers, they’ve probably admired magnolias in some way each spring and summer.
Next time you’re out with your kids or grandkids, imagine telling them that dinosaurs once munched on the ancestors of today’s magnolia trees — how’s that for a fun fact to share on a walk?
Even honeybees weren’t around when magnolias first appeared; instead, beetles likely did the pollinating back then.
Over the years, I have used at most 10 different magnolia species in my designs, but did you know there are 0ver 200 magnolia species worldwide. You will find magnolias native to East, South, and Southeast Asia; Eastern North America; South America; Central America; and the West Indies.
One measure of a tree’s significance to a region is the symbols native peoples may associate with it.
You will find cultural symbols pointing to magnolia plants in as diverse places as Shanghai and New Orleans. Images of magnolias can be discovered on flags and local festivals. Upon visiting Washington D.C. this year beginning in March if you travel to the Smithsonian you may experience the Magnolia Madness event.
Their bloom times stretch from early spring through summer, offering everything from subtle to bold fragrances. If you ever get the chance, try scratching the bark of a sweet bay or saucer magnolia with your fingernail — you’ll get a whiff of a hidden, sweet scent, almost like nature’s little secret.
It’s one of those small things that make gardening rewarding.
Magnolias can really surprise you with their size. Some, like the national champion bigleaf magnolia in Kentucky, reach an impressive 108-feet tall. Others are modest and perfect for smaller yards — like the lily magnolia, which maxes out at around 8 to 12 feet.
If you have a compact garden, you don’t have to miss out; there’s likely a magnolia variety that will fit right in.
I have planted magnolias in both summer and early fall. The caution is that if the roots don’t get established, you may lose the tree. You need to plan late-fall plantings for four to six weeks before the first frost.
Full sun, soil free of rocks and construction debris, and good composted soil will give the tree the greatest chance of success. Magnolias prefer a moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Follow normal planting practices to install your new magnolia.
After installing the tree spread 3 to 4 inches of a good hardwood mulch over the bed surface to retain moisture. Make sure you have a few inches of space between the trunk of the tree and the mulch.
You need to water magnolias several times per week, normally depending on the weather, and weekly after the first month or two. I have not had to fertilize any magnolia.
To encourage growth, you can apply a 10 x 10 x 10 fertilizer product in years two and three after planting. You only need to prune to shape the tree into the form that you want the magnolia to grow.
Prune magnolias after flowering because magnolias don’t heal as rapidly as other trees. Dead, dying, damaged, and diseased branches pruned upon inspection are prudent.
If you’re new to gardening, don’t worry — magnolias are forgiving and rewarding, even for beginners.
As you stroll through your garden this week, I hope you enjoy all of your flowers. If you see any challenges, let me know at ericlarson546@yahoo.com.