Magnolia biondii |
Native Region: Hsing-shan, China
Zone Range: 7-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; well draining moisture retentive humus rich soil.
Harvest Date: Friday 07 December, 2012
Seed count: 12-15
Description:
A rare sweetly fragrant early flowering magnolia introduced from China in 1977. Fuzzy buds open in early April to reveil, 10 cm thick petaled white flowers are marked with a purple/pink streak that starts at the base and fade midway up the petal. Dark green leaves are somewhat narrow for a magnolia. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and perfumes. Grows to 12 meters with half the spread. Not much is known about its mature form in North American gardens, but to date it tends to be multi-stemmed.
Notes:
The common North American name of this species 'Chinese willow leafed magnolia' seriously diminishes the beauty of its given Chinese name 'Hope of Spring'.
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. Magnolias growing in temperate regions have identical seed germination requirements where no special treatment is needed other than sowing and cold stratification (cold damp conditions).
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