Magnolias aren’t just for the land of Dixie

Somewhere in the tortuous development of the American language, the word magnolia acquired a distinctly southern association in most people’s minds. It is true that the parks and plantations of Dixie feature such exquisite (and non-hardy in New England) species as Magnolia grandiflora — an evergreen tree that grows up to 100 feet tall and bears fragrant white flowers bigger than a teacup. But there are any number of other magnolia species and hybrids that do thrive in Maine. There are so many, in fact, that before writing this column I decided to consult the local authority on the genus to help me sort them all out.

It was in 1948 that Roger F. Luce of Newburgh planted his first specimen, a selection of Magnolia soulangeana, commonly called the saucer magnolia for its large, somewhat saucer-shaped flowers which may be white, any shade of pink or deep maroon. A few years later he acquired possibly the most famous variety of hardy magnolia, Merrill, and from there the love affair just grew and grew.

Membership in the American Magnolia Society brought Luce in contact with other fanciers of the genus, and through the sponsored seed exchanges, many new types of magnolias found their way to the family farmstead. Mail order nurseries provided access to those magnolias that couldn’t be grown from seed. And several horticultural tours of mainland China helped the avid plantsman gain knowledge and establish valuable trading relations with three botanical gardens there.

Luce feels that beginners should start with the Magnolia stellata (star magnolia) hybrids, because of their hardiness and tendency to bloom as young trees. Centennial is probably the best of these though Water Lily and Royal Star might also be tried. This group blooms in early spring not long after Forsythia and features sparkling white flowers on nearly leafless branches making for a brilliant show, especially when viewed against a dark evergreen backdrop.

Next in order of ease of culture as well as common availability would be the M. loebneri hybrids, notably Merrill, Spring Snow, Ballerina and Leonard Messel. These closely resemble the stellata hybrids, blooming just a bit afterward.

M. soulangeana hybrids are reasonably hardy in our area, especially if given a protected setting. Luce stresses that most magnolias prefer a semi-shaded location, protected from winter winds and strong winter sun. The roots, which are fleshy and brittle, resent flooding in spring and fall and, because they grow close to the surface, should be mulched with bark and never cultivated.

Perhaps most exotic are the yellow magnolia hybrids resulting from crosses between M. denudata and M. acuminata. Elizabeth is the most famous of these and was introduced by the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in 1978. Its color and fragrance are unique among flowering trees. Yellow Bird and Yellow Lantern are two others to look for in this group.

Local nurseries carry some of the magnolias mentioned above and your nurseryman may be able to acquire others upon request. A good mail order source recommended by Luce is Greer Gardens, 1280 Goodpasture Island Rd., Eugene OR 97401-1794, catalog $2). An excellent reference book on the genus is Magnolias by J.M. Gardiner (curator of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Gardens in England) published by Globe Pequot Press, Chester, CT at $19.95 for hardcover and featuring sumptuous color photography throughout.

Finally, I recommend that anyone interested in learning more about magnolias should visit the Lyle E. Littlefield Trial Gardens at the University of Maine’s Orono campus. Do it in early May to catch the first bloomers.

Michael Zuck of Bangor is a horticulturist and the NEWS garden columnist. Send inquiries to him at 2106 Essex St., Bangor, Maine 04401.