Magnolia virginiana |
Native Region: Eastern North America
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; moist, humus rich, deep well draining soils.
Harvest Date: Thursday 05 January, 2012
Seed count: 12-15
Description:
Sure it has smooth gray bark and lovely oblong leaves that are green above and white below, but its the sweet clear scent from the 7 cm blossoms that haunts my mind. Flowers appear in abundance in June then sporatically until frost, so plant this near a well used garden path as you'll find yourself returning again and again. Form varies depending on the site; here in the north, its a multistemmed suckering shrub to 8 meters tall with equal spread. In the south, its more tree like reaching 15 meters in height with half the spread. Can be evergreen or deciduous (evergreen in mild climates and deciduous in colder ones).
Notes:
This magnolia grows over a wide range over eastern North America, this is the northern strain. Drought tolerant when established. Never ever lime magnolias. Loves composted bark mulch. Gives few flowers if grown in shade.
Cultivation:
Stratifying seed...will only be available until they begin to germinate then they're all mine. Never let seed dry out as this kills the embryo within. Break dormancy: sow immediately 2 cm deep, keep moist; cold stratify 60-90 days at 4C; move to 25 C to germinate; light hinders germination (needs darkness) but expose newly emerging seedlings to indirect light/dappled shade as seedlings emerge. Months to germ: 4-18. Protect from nibbling pests two years.
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