Saucer magnolia, Magnolia soulangeana

The magnolia × soulangeana is a species of hybrid magnolia. It is a deciduous tree with large, early-blooming flowers in various shades of white, pink and purple. It is one of the most commonly used magnolias in horticulture, widely planted in the British Isles, particularly southern England, and in the United States particularly the East and West coasts. We find it more and more in Canada in flowerbeds. The magnolia × soulangeana was created by a French horticulturist (Étienne Soulange-Bodin, 1774-1846, when he crossed the Magnolia denudata with the M. liliiflorain 1820. From that moment, he was impressed by the first early flowering of the offspring. Since that time, the hybrid known as soulangeana has quickly spread to ornamental crops almost everywhere around the world. Plant breeders in many countries have even continued to develop this magnolia and more than a hundred named horticultural varieties (cultivars) are now known. Growing in the manner of a large shrub or small tree with a trunk short (4-6 m), this magnolia has beautiful, glossy green, alternate, simple leaves on sturdy stems. Its flowers appear spectacularly on a bare tree in early spring. The deciduous leaves bloom shortly after flowering which can still last until the end of summer. The flowers are large, often measuring 10-20 cm in diameter and are various shades of pinkish color. This species is remarkable for its ease of cultivation and its tolerance of strong wind but requires rich, neutral and deep soil as much as possible. It is a species resistant to urban conditions and prefers to be protected from extreme cold at a young age. Its hardiness remains less interesting on the other hand because it will be able to grow in zone 4a but will have difficulty flourishing well. We recommend it for zone 5a. Its flowers are very subject to damage due to late frosts in May like other magnolias but remain even more fragile. We recommend pruning it in the early years to give it a beautiful desired shape.