Gareth Carter:Magnificent magnolias

Magnolia billowing cloud

We are now starting to feel the warmth of spring some days while others still feel like the middle of winter. There are signs of spring everywhere in our city and district. Many trees buds are swelling, and as the days are lengthening more plants are coming into bloom. Blossom is appearing and green leaves begin to show on the branches of many deciduous trees.

Among the most attractive of the early trees are the flowering cherries, plums, peaches, magnolias. Camellias are reaching their flowering peak and many rhododendrons and azaleas are showing their first stunning flowers. Many of our native Kowhai trees are looking stunning too with the early varieties showing off their beautiful golden yellow flowers providing a feast for native birds such as Wood Pigeon and Tui.

Magnolias are one of the most striking of the early flowering trees and shrubs. We have many stunning specimens- in flower at the moment, dotted around the city. The range is extensive containing many good varieties. Today I am talking about deciduous magnolias rather than the evergreen types which have very thick leathery leaves and bloom during the summer months.

There are two excellent magnolia breeders of note in Taranaki. The Jury family have released some amazing and well known varieties including; Apollo, Athene, Atlas, Black Tulip, Burgundy Star, Felix Jury, Honey Tulip, Iolanthe, Lotus, Milky Way, Serene and Vulcan.

Check out their website for more information https://jury.co.nz/jury-plants/jury-magnolias/
A new 2017 release is Magnolia Stellar Gem.

This has been bred by renowned plants man Vance Hooper - Vance spent many years working and breeding outstanding cultivars for Duncan and Davies before starting on his own.

Magnolia felix jury

Stellar Gem was raised as a seedling of M. Starwars crossed with M. Genie and flowered only two years from seed when a little over knee high. It is the second hybrid released from Vance that truly fits the guideline of a modern garden magnolia in that it is compact, relatively disease free, heavy flowering and produces flowers from the first year.

Expect Stellar Gem to grow to 3.5m over 10 years with a nice conical form. The blooms are large sculpted rich pink-purple with a white interior. Like all Magnolias Stellar Gem will prefer at least 1/2 a day of full sun and fertile well drained soil.

Other varieties bred by Vance include; Amethyst Flame, Billowing Cloud, Brixton Belle, Brixton Salmon, Cameo, Cleopatra, Genie, Margaret Helen, Old Port and a new release for 2017 of 'Stellar Gem'

Check out http://www.magnoliagrove.co.nz

Some tips for growing these magnolias;

Choose your site for planting a magnolia very carefully; as they resent being moved or transplanted once they are established, especially deciduous types. Some grow into quite large trees and require ample space to make a great display.

Avoid overcrowding them in your garden and do not cultivate ground under them as their fleshy roots are often near the surface and should not be disturbed. Plant them in a full sun position, sheltered from strong winds and where the roots can be kept cool.

They enjoy moist rich free draining soils just slightly acid (ph 6.5) with plenty of organic matter added such as peat moss, well rotted animal manure, organic compost or leaf mould. Always plant new trees from the garden centre at their original soil level and stake securely. Do not tread around where the tree has been planted as they do not enjoy the soil being compacted.

Mulching routinely insulates the shallow roots from direct sun and helps to retain moisture. Water frequently (without drowning) the roots as necessary while plants are getting established and during dry periods. A top- dressing with an acid fertiliser such that is suitable for camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas or sheep pellets after planting and then in the spring once per year will maintain healthy growth. Note that these plants detest lime so never apply it.

Magnolias are rarely affected by pests and diseases with any problems usually due to unsuitable soil conditions or deficiencies. Pruning, if necessary, is best done after flowering only to reduce size and remove damaged branches.

Magnolia vulcan

Gareth Carter is General Manager of Springvale Garden Centre.