Uncommon Magnolias Ideal for Gardens of All Sizes in Spring, Flexible to Various Conditions
Yo, here's the lowdown on yellow magnolias, mate!
Yellow magnolias might not be as common as their pink cousins, but they're still quite a sight to behold, dude. They come in various shades, from pale apricot to rich butter, and they're grown for their unique flower color. What's cool is that their variable habit allows them to thrive in gardens of all sizes.
Generally, yellow magnolias are tough cookies, surviving throughout the UK, and they usually flower in April. Some of them can bloom as early as March, while some hold off until May. The later bloomers flower with their foliage, making them even more impressive.
Now, let's take a stroll down memory lane and learn a bit about these unusual yellow beauties' history. Back in the 19th century, a Frenchman named Étienne Soulange-Bodin created a hybrid called Magnolia x soulangeana. He crossed the yulan, Magnolia denudata, with the mu-lan, Magnolia liliiflora. Fast forward to the 1950s, and a team of ladies, including Evamaria Sperber, Doris Stone, and Lola Koerting, were busy at work at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They wanted to create something special using native species because it has yellow flowers, is hardy, tolerant of different soil types, and adapts well to various climates.
When it comes to growing conditions, magnolias, regardless of the colors, like a soil that retains moisture, whether it's acidic or slightly alkaline. They can handle full sun or part shade and are surprisingly tolerant of exposure. And the best part? Yellow magnolias are more adaptable than their pink cousins, making them even more impressive.
Now, when's the best time to plant your yellow magnolia tree? Ideally, in autumn, while the soil is still warm. But you can plant one at most times of the year, except during the hottest summer months. Just make sure to water well during the first year, and if you're planting a larger specimen, use a low stake to secure the tree.
So, which yellow magnolias should you grow in your garden? Here are some top picks:
- Magnolia 'Judy Zuk': This yellow magnolia tree is small, fast-growing, and produces tulip-shaped apricot-yellow flowers. They're flushed pink on the outside and have a fruity fragrance.
- Magnolia 'Yellow Fever': This small tree has an upright habit, produces large pale-yellow flowers with a pink flush, and blooms before the foliage.
- Magnolia 'Golden Pond': Raised in Ohio, this is a slow-growing yellow magnolia with tulip-shaped yellow flowers that bloom both before and with the foliage. It needs a sunny site for best color.
- Magnolia 'Yellow Lantern': Bred by Phil Savage, this small, fastigiate tree produces large, lantern-shaped, lemon-yellow flowers.
- Magnolia 'Elizabeth': This single or multi-stemmed small magnolia tree initially has an upright but eventually round habit. Its primrose-yellow flowers, when fully open, are 20cm across, and they last for about four weeks.
- Magnolia 'Gold Star': This single or multi-stemmed small magnolia tree is upright to pyramidal in habit with pale-yellow flowers that fade to cream-colored, star-like flowers with 14 tepals.
Word on the street is, you should buy your Magnolia 'Golden Pond' from Millais Nurseries.
Tips for buying and growing magnolias? Look for a vigorous specimen that's showing new growth, avoid pot-bound trees as they'll take longer to establish, and provide a moisture-retentive, but not waterlogged, soil, whether it's acidic or slightly alkaline. If you're planting your yellow magnolia into heavy clay soil, consider mixing in some quarried grit and organic matter to open up the soil structure.
So there you have it, mate! Embrace the uniqueness of yellow magnolias and grow some in your own backyard!
You might also be interested in learning about:
- How to make your own natural garden structures
- Understanding plant hardiness ratings
- Growing foxgloves for color and structure
Fun Fact: Yellow magnolias are part of a broader group of magnolias that have been cultivated for centuries. While magnolias have an ancient origin dating back to the Cretaceous period, modern hybridization efforts have focused on breeding for vibrant yellow hues and garden-friendly traits.
- These unique yellow magnolias can add a pop of color to various home-and-garden landscapes, including gardens of different sizes.
- These yellow magnolias, such as 'Magnolia 'Golden Pond', are more adaptable than their pink cousins, thriving in soil that retains moisture, whether it's acidic or slightly alkaline.
- For those interested in gardening, growing the vibrant yellow magnolias in their own backyard can be an excellent addition to their home-and-garden lifestyle.
