Magnolia liliiflora ( Purple Magnolia ) is a deciduous shrub that is native to southwest China. This purple variety is one of the most hardy Magnolias and is naturally smaller in size than the average. Purple Magnolia makes a beautiful feature tree with showy flowers during Spring. From seed, they are fairly easy to grow and take around 3-4 years to start flowering.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Purple Magnolia is also commonly known as Mulan or Jane Magnolia, Lily or Tulip Magnolia and Woody Orchid. It is also one of the parent species for the more famous Magnolia x soulangeana.
Growth
Magnolia liliiflora is a small flowering tree that reaches a short height of around 4 metres (14 feet) and a width of about the same. Trees grow relatively quickly and adapt well to colder climates. In its native climate, temperatures often fall to a chilly -20°C / -4°F but key to their survival is their positioning. Usually found growing on the sides of small mountains and large hills, the Purple Magnolia tolerates the cold conditions when well sheltered by other trees. In cultivation, they are often grown as ornamentals or feature trees so in cold climates, so try to position them where they won’t get too much wind.
While still young the seedlings will need some protection from frost for their first two winters. As a deciduous species, they will loose all their leaves during winter as a method of protecting themselves. Once established they tolerate drought but an increase of water around the start of Spring helps to improve the number and duration of the two-toned flowers. Flowering begins when the trees reach a height of around 1 metre (3 feet).
The trees can be weakened by scales insects. Treating them with herbicides is one way of combating the problem. Our recommendation is to grow smaller plants nearby that attract ladybirds who love to eat scale insects and will fix the problem organically. Some of the these plants include useful herbs such as Coriander, Fennel and Dill.
FAMILY:
Magnoliaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-20°C to 30°C / 4 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining, moist nutritious soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 4 metres (14 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 4 metres (14 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Beetles
MATURITY:
3-4 years for flowering.
GERMINATION RATES:
45-70%
GERMINATION TIME:
8 weeks cold stratification + 4-8 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 3-4
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year.
FACTS ABOUT MAGNOLIA LILIIFLORA (Purple Magnolia)
This species was introduced to the United States from Japan in 1861 and is sometimes mistakenly called the Japanese Magnolia.
Traditionally, the flowers and unopened flower buds have been used medicinally, primarily for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and colds with a runny nose.
