Magnolia 'BUTTERFLIES' magnolia

Another unique jewel among magnolias is this yellow flowering hybrid called Butterflies. It is a cross between M. acuminata var. acuminata ‘Fertile Myrtle’ and M. denudata ‘Sawada’s Cream’. It was raised by Phil Savage in Michigan, USA, introduced in 1989 and patented in 1991. Both their colour and shape are exceptional. The variety name Butterflies says it all because when the shrub blooms, its semi-double flowers with about 9-12 petals do not open fully, giving the impression that a flock of yellow butterflies has settled on the bare branches in the spring sun. The centre of the flower is adorned with striking red stamens. The colour may vary slightly depending on the location and spring temperature, but the flower is generally a rich yellow.

So far, we have not experienced any significant fading of the flower during hot spring days, as the English complain. It is a very pleasant yellow, sometimes with a slight greenish tint at the base of the outer sepals. The flower is not large, and its shape is somewhere between a tulip and a star magnolia. This magnolia blooms at a very early age, sometimes in the first year after grafting. And since it blooms mid-late, it avoids late spring frosts. It blooms before the leaves emerge, reliably, and more abundantly each year.

The leaves are quite large, obovate, velvety matte, fresh green from spring to autumn, and their abundance makes the shrub look very dense. It forms a medium-wide shrub with a height and width of around 3 meters (10 feet) in gardens and 5 meters (16 feet) in parks with unlimited root space. In warmer climates, it makes longer annual growths, and the overall size in maturity is reported to be up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) more. However, it is desirable for it to grow at its natural pace, as it can then produce a flower bud at the tip of each new twig.

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. And 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. This way you could be digging its grave. It is very hardy withstanding temperatures even lower than -30 °C (possibly USDA zone 4), just make sure it is not in a too exposed windy area.

Last update 11-12-2007; 15-01-2025