Magnolia floribunda, Michelia floribunda, Magnolia compressa

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Magnolia grandiflora

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Southern magnolia is a fast-growing, medium-sized, native evergreen tree that grows 60 to 90 feet (18-27 m) tall. The large, white flowers are perfect and fragrant. The seeds are drupelike with a soft, fleshy outer seed coat and an inner stony portion. Southern magnolia develops a deep taproot. As trees grow the root structure changes. Trees of sapling stage and beyond have a rather extensive root system. Older trees develop a fluted base with the ridges corresponding to the attachment of major lateral roots.

The Little Gem Magnolia is a slow-growing hybrid that is sometimes called a "dwarf". It will get tall, but not nearly as tall as the M. grandiflora, and it grows very slowly. It may grow to be 8 - 10' wide. It has blooms on it when it is very young, and in container. The leaves are smaller and some have more "golden rust" color on the underside. These magnolias are prized for small lawns, and their popularity is growing.

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Magnolia kobus

A small to medium deciduous tree or large shrub that is native to forest areas in Japan. As a tree, it is pyramidal when young, maturing to a spreading, dense, rounded form. It typically grows slowly to as much as 25-30' over time with a similar to slightly larger spread. It is noted for its late winter to early spring bloom of goblet-shaped to cup-shaped, fragrant, often pink-tinged, white flowers (each to 4" across) which open in March before the foliage emerges. Obovate, aromatic, dark green leaves (3-6" long) are attractive throughout the growing season but produce little yellowish-brown fall color. Trees flower poorly when young, and may need as much as 25 years before reaching best flowering status. Red seeds form in pods (to 3" long) that split open in fall. Seeds are attractive to birds. Kobus magnolia is similar to Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) except larger. Specific epithet comes from the Japanese word "kobushi" meaning fist, in reference to flower bud shape resembling a small fist.

Best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Generally intolerant of soil extremes (dry or wet). Best sited in a location protected from high winds, but generally avoid southern exposures in full sun where the buds may be induced to open too early in late winter. Among magnolias, this species is one of the earliest to bloom in spring.

Magnolia kobus var. borealis is the hardiest of all magnolias.

Propagate from cuttings.

USDA Zone 5 to 8.

Magnolia lacei

Small stree with highly fragrant white flowers, similar to Michelia Alba.

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Magnolia liliifera, Talauma candollei

Medium size tree with large velvet leaves and fragrant yellowish off-white flowers about 4-5" wide. Before opening, buds have an egg shape. One of the most valuable ornamental fragrant trees of Asia. A highly valued fragrant flower of this small tree or shrub resembles dwarf magnolia flower (magnolia figo, magnolia coco), but the scent is much stronger. Leaves are large, 7-9" long and 4" wide. Can be grown in container in a well-lit spot. Cold sensitive, can not tolerate even light frost. Magnolia liliifera formerly known as Talauma candollei. You can see that they are the same species even though some individuals may have larger leaves or flowers than others. M. lilliifera is similar to M. coco - as both species have those egg shaped flowerbuds. In M. coco however, the bud is shaped more like a baby coconut, hence the name Magnolia coco, Coconut Magnolia.

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Magnolia liliiflora

Native to Southwest China, this magnolia species is extremely attractive in both flower, and form, with simple, deep green foliage. As a mature plant, it is cold hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. In optimal cultivation, Magnolia liliiflora can take the form of a large shrub, 5-10 feet tall, or a small tree, 10-20 feet tall. and blooms profusely in early spring with large pink to purple showy flowers, before the leaf buds open.

This plant requires full sun to thrive and needs regular to moderate water. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, but will tolerate dryer conditions once established. During its growing season, mulch can help keep the roots cool and avoid moisture loss due to evaporation.

In colder regions, it is recommended to grow Magnolia liliiflora in pot and brought indoors during colder months.

Magnolia montana

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Magnolia obovata

Magnolia obovata is a medium-sized deciduous tree 15-30 m tall, with slate grey bark. The leaves are large, 16-38 cm (rarely to 50 cm) long and 9-20 cm (rarely 25 cm) broad, leathery, green above, silvery or greyish pubescent below. The flowers are also large, cup-shaped, 15-20 cm diameter, with 9-12 creamy, fleshy tepals, red stamens.

Leaf is sometimes used in Japan to wrap food.

Best growth generally occurs in USDA Zones 5-7.

Magnolia officinalis

With its large leaves and huge flowers this bush size medicinal Magnolia is a marvelous indoor and garden plant. It lives in lime stone mountains and can take long draught and mild frost in winter. As a young plant this Magnolia prefers light shade and makes a good indoor plant. Magnolia bark is a traditional Chinese medicine used since 100 A.D. for treating "stagnation of qi" (low energy) as well as a variety of syndroms, such as digestive disturbances caused by emotional distress and emotional turmoil. Intestinal relaxant, analgesic, diuretic.

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Magnolia rajaniana, Michelia champaca Rajaniana

Rare michelia with cream to pastel orange/yellow (or light orange) flowers, highly fragrant. A new Thai hybrid with large and wide petals is called Champee Si Nuan. The flowers resemble those of Magnolia champaca, but more pastel color and much bigger size. The size of the flower can reach 5-6" wide. Flowers turn darker color with age, almost brown before they drop. Fragrance is very strong. Blooms almost year-round. Plant this nice small specimen tree near a driveway or in any other place with walk traffic where the fragrance can be appreciated. Similar looking magnolia hybrid is M. champaca X M. ballonii.

A hybrid Magnolia champaca x rajaniana Dwarf (Champee Si Nuan) is a dwarf that produces flowers earlier than other Champacas. It is the most exciting hybrid of Champaca, a very reliable bloomer. Flowers of pastel orange to cream color can be large size, in favorable conditions up to 5-6" wide (see picture), very fragrant. The Champee Si Nuan grows into somewhat smaller tree (15-20 ft) and is a perfect variety for potting culture or a small yard.

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