The magnolias, which usually bloom lushly between March and April, can be found in almost every front garden and in many parks. Their beautiful, bright white, pink or red flowers as well as their intense scent are a wonderful eye-catcher. However, hardly anyone knows that this genus of plants is threatened with extinction in the wild.
What does the profile of a magnolia look like?
Magnolia profile: The magnolia is a genus of plants with around 230 species that are widespread from North and Central America to East Asia. Its large, bright flowers in white, pink or red usually appear between March and April and have an intense scent. The magnolia family is over 130 million years old and is threatened in the wild.
Origin and distribution of magnolia
The approximately 230 known species of magnolias all belong to the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae), which also includes the tulip trees (Liriodendron), which are particularly common in China. The various magnolias are originally native to North and Central America and East Asia, but as a cultivated plant they have now conquered a place in many gardens around the world. Of the wild species, more than 130 magnolias are on the Red List as threatened species due to the intensive agricultural use of their habitats.
Blooming magnolias indicate spring
Magnolias have a very large variety of different species and varieties, the flowers of which vary greatly in shape and color. We have summarized some of the most important species in this table:
| Magnolia species | Latin name | Flower color | Flowering time | Height | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulip Magnolia | Magnolia × soulangeana | white-pink | March to April | tree up to 9 meters high | sensitive to late frost |
| Purple Magnolia | Magnolia liliflora | strong purple to dark red | April to May | mostly shrub | well suited for keeping in containers |
| Summer magnolia | Magnolia sieboldii | white | May to June | mostly shrub | not very sensitive to frost |
| Star Magnolia | Magnolia stellata | white | March to April | can grow up to 2 meters high | easy to care for, but sensitive to frost |
| Evergreen Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | white | April to June | up to 35 meters high | evergreen, hardy |
| Magnolia “Daphne” | Magnolia Daphne | yellow | April to June | will only be about 1/2 meter high | very rare |
The star magnolia with its narrow, star-shaped petals is particularly suitable for smaller gardens. This species grows up to two meters high and has very many branches. The tulip magnolia, which can be found in many gardens, is particularly suitable as a solitary eye-catcher, but also the striking purple magnolia and the very tall evergreen magnolia.
Appearance and Usage
The magnolia plant family is around 130 million years old. As a result, today's magnolia species still have a comparatively simple flower structure, which is, however, made up for by their breathtaking beauty. There are both summer and evergreen species, although the very early blooming magnolias only develop their leaves after flowering. The older a magnolia tree is, the more lush its flowers grow. In contrast to other early bloomers, magnolias do not age.
Tips & Tricks
Before you decide on a type of magnolia from the garden center, take a careful look around. There are many different varieties with distinctive flower colors and shapes, most of which come from the USA or New Zealand.
