Magnolia 'AURORA' magnolia

Aurora magnolia originated in from New Zealand as many other superb new hybrids, and this time it came from Oswald Blumhardt. Some say that it is his most beautiful hybrid ever. Looking at the large, simply sumptuous flower I do agree. It is a cross between magnolia 'Star Wars' and magnolia sargentiana var. robusta.

Aurora magnolia produces quite large, typically 'cup'n'saucer' shaped flowers: outer petals are larger, almost horizontal like a saucer, while central petals are smaller and upright like a cup. They are clear and lovely pink, and the colour depth is deeper on the outside. It has a very nice, medium strong fragrance. The plants bloom already from their third year of age and once they start they are reliable and flower every year without exceptions. Leaves are deciduous, narrowly obovate, mid green, with no significant autumn colour. The habit is quite narrow, openly columnar, growing some 2-2.5m wide and 3-4m tall in 10 years. Adult trees are expected to reach almost 7m but it will take time, perhaps two generations in Central European climate.

Magnolias are not supposed to be pruned. You can prune old shrubs if ill, or trim them to shape or to reduce size, or make an elementary cut to young plants of unsightly or unhealthy appearance. Do this as soon as possible after flowering to secure setting of flower buds for the following year. Be aware that each magnolia can respond differently to pruning.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acidic soil with equal moisture throughout the year. Once established they can do with occasional drought but will not look as nice as the ones with regular watering. Just pay attention to how to plant your magnolia. First, find it a spot where it will live forever and ever. It does not like transplanting. As it makes shallow roots reaching well over its spread stay away from disturbing the roots by digging or messing about around it. Just cover the soil with bark mulch and do not plant anything else near it after say the second year after planting onwards. You could damage the very important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus you could be digging its grave. Hardy to about -25°C (USDA zone 5b-6), possibly a little more but we have not had a chance to test it yet.

Last update 02-02-2016