The showy Magnolia soulangiana tree, commonly called the saucer magnolia tree, is one of the approximately 200 species of magnolia in the Magnoliaceae family.
Magnolias — named after French botanist Pierre Magnol (1638-1715) — are thought to have evolved early in the history of flowering plants, even before bees.
The Magnolia soulangiana was a hybrid of two native Asian magnolias — China’s ivory white yulan magnolia and Japan’s lily magnolia. It originated during the 1820s and was named after Etienne Soulange-Bodin (1774-1846), a Napoleonic soldier who had survived the defeat at Waterloo and then became the director of the Royal Institute of Horticulture near Paris.
The saucer magnolia, with its impressive purplish-pink blossoms and its beautiful smooth, light gray bark, is a widely planted ornamental tree. It makes a striking focal point in gardens, an outstanding street tree and an excellent tree in lawns.
The Magnolia soulangiana can become a marvelous addition to almost any horticultural palette. It is among the collection of diverse and unusual trees in Redlands, in parks, parkways and in residential and community gardens.
Unlike the well-known Magnolia grandiflora, the magnolia soulangiana is deciduous. In early spring, colorful fragrant blossoms, up to 6 inches across, burst open and cover the tree before the green leaves begin to unfold.
This smallish, vase-shaped tree, frequently with multiple trunks, grows at a moderate rate to 20 to 30 feet high with an equal spread. It likes full sun or partial shade and does well in most well-drained soils with regular watering. It is cold hardy and somewhat drought tolerant but it is not immune to oak root fungus.
When planting your own Magnolia soulangiana or saucer magnolia, select your site carefully, as this tree does not like to be moved. Also, be careful planting other plants around the tree as its roots can be severely damaged by digging in the area.
Watch for these trees blooming around Redlands.
For information, call 909-798-9384.
Source: Joyce Dean, a member of the Garden and Floral Arrangers Guild
