Magnolia acuminata

Magnolia acuminata

Description:
Canada's only native magnolia and rare Carolinian Forest member. Deciduous tree to 20 meters tall with a straight trunk with 6m spread. Greenish yellow medium sized flowers (similar colouring as Lirodendron) appear in late spring. Large leaves are dark green above while undersides are paler. Cones turn scarlet as the seeds/berries ripen within the folicles (as with all magnolias) and are much loved by birds and squirrels. We had this tree at the old homestead growing up. My mom describes the scent as being somewhere between citrus and mango.

Notes:
Its traits for vigor, upright form, hardiness, summer blooming, and yellow fragrant flowers are used by today’s breeders to create much sought after yellow flowering hybrids. But here we offer the unadulterated species. Fast growing and no nonsense pyramidal form. Aptly named after the green unripe seed cones, which eventually ripen to a scarlet. Ideal shade tree. Prefers full sun or partial shade on moist, well-drained soils. This tree is also quite tolerant of wet and alkaline soils. Almost pest and disease free. Listed as Endangered in Canada due to 'habitat fragmentation'.

Cultivation:
Never let magnolia seed dry out as this kills the embryo. Sow immediately 2 cm deep, keep moist, keep the pot outside to finish the cold stratification cycle of 120 days. Sunlight inhibits germination. Most seed will germinate in May with the remaining the following May. Newly emerging seedlings need indirect light/dappled shade at first then stronger light as they put down a larger root system. Protect from nibbling pests two years. If you baggie sow these provide room temps with no supplemental warmth as they don't seem to tolerate this. Once you see them crack open, transplant into a pot 15 mm deep as they don't like being in the bag at this stage and mortality can be high.