Today’s Garden Ideas

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The Saucer Magnolias with their teacup like pink, purple and white blooms herald the coming of spring. The satiny blooms and informal shape of the Saucer Magnolias, together with their delightful fragrance make any garden stand out and shine.

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If you prefer your Saucer Magnolias in white try ‘Alba Superba’. Or for a different hue ‘Lennei’ is a bright magenta color. For a more pinkish Magnolia look to ‘Rustica Rubra’.

Planting Locations

Saucer Magnolias look best planted against a dark green background. This helps the bright colors of the blooms to really stand out. Break up the monotony of an evergreen border by planting a ‘Burgundy’ Magnolia in the middle of the border. Its dark purple blooms will really shine. Placing the Saucer Magnolia ‘Alexandrina’ in the middle of a well-groomed green lawn makes for a real showstopper. Its bright pink petals and white center are truly a sight to behold! You can also try planting a Saucer Magnolia near a patio to provide some shade in the summer and a rather arresting free form in the winter.

Plant Buddies

Saucer Magnolias work well in combination with quite a few other spring bloomers. Plant Tulips under the pink flowers of ‘Grace McDade’. Try planting Azaleas in red or purple beneath the white Saucer Magnolias ‘Brozzonii’. The color of the Azaleas will really pop out at you. Forsythia is another spring bloomer that compliments the white Saucer Magnolias.

Purchasing & Planting

When purchasing Saucer Magnolia trees look for burlapped plants with strong stems and healthy branches in early spring. Or purchase container grown Saucer Magnolias in the fall. Do not purchase small trees or bareroot Magnolias.

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To plant your Saucer Magnolia dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the rootball. Mix the soil with 3 cups compost and 1-cup bonemeal. Place a little over 1/3rd of the newly mixed soil into the hole. Remove as much burlap as you can without damaging the rootball. Place the Magnolia in the hole and fill with the remaining soil. Water well and mulch to keep the soil moist. Build a water basin by building up the soil into a mound all around the tree about 8 inches away from the tree stem.

Growing Tips

Saucer Magnolias love full sun or partial shade. The soil should be rich and well drained. Be sure to test your soil before planting because Saucer Magnolias do not like alkaline soil. Be sure to plant Magnolias at least 35 feet away from any building, as the roots will spread out.

For seasonal care begin in spring planting your new Saucer Magnolias. In summer after the trees bloom prune to keep an open form. Remove any branches that block sunlight to the tree’s core. In late winter you can cut off small branches that have buds and bring them indoors. Place them in water in a sunny location and the blooms will open in a few weeks.

If you notice your Saucer Magnolia leaves turning yellow look for brown bumps. These are scale insects. Get rid of them by removing infected branches. Spray with horticultural oil.

Quick Facts

Saucer Magnolia Trees can spread up to 30 feet wide and 25 feet tall. They grow best in zones 5-9 in full sun or partial shade. These trees have a lovely aroma and are fairly easy to grow. They are disease resistant. Saucer Magnolias will flower mid to late spring with lovely tea cup shaped blossoms that remind one of the beauty and formality of the south. A true southern belle these Magnolia Trees!!!

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