Saucer Magnolia

Common Name: 
Saucer Magnolia
Scientific Name Genus: 
Magnolia
Family Name: 
Magnoliaceae
Identification Notes
Best grown in an acidic, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Not tolerant of wet or dry soils. Should be sited in a protected location to avoid flower damage from early spring frosts. Also should be sited away from strong winds and southern exposures which could result in early flowering in spring.
Native Habitat
Hybrid of M. denudata and M. liliflora. Hardy zones 4-9, but should be protected in zone 4 to avoid bud or bloom damage. From France.
Growth Habit
Small tree growing 20-30' tall and wide. Upright spreading with a rounded to irregular form. Multi-trunked with low branches.
Magnolia x soulangiana form
Multistemmed, low branched trunk
Leaves
Leaves are dark green above and pubescent below.
Elliptical with a sharply pointed tip growing 3-7" long and about half as wide.
Bark and Stems
Smooth silver gray.
Flowers
Large cup-like flowers up to 8" across. Sometime fragrant.
Outside of petals are generally purplish pink but can be white to pink to purple with white interior.
Flowers appear before leaves and are abundant.
Blooms mid to late April.
Saucer magnolia flower
Saucer magnolia flowers
Saucer magnolia buds
Fruit
Aggregate fruit in cylindrical clusters. Seeds emerge reddish-orange. Mature in August to September but are not common.
Bloom Time
Spring; April
Common Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf spot, canker, and scale can occur. Flower damage by late spring frosts.
Can be messy at petal fall and create a slippery surface especially with rain.
Varieties or Cultivars
Alexandrina -large, rose-purple flowers outside, white inside
Lennei - upright large shrub to 20 feet tall. Flowers are deep purple outside with white interior.
Picture - compact form; flowers buds are magenta opening to white, pink, and red flowers.
Landscape Uses
Best used as a specimen tree or small tree.