Magnolia 'CORAL LAKE' magnolia

Coral Lake is a chameleon magnolia changing colours during flowering. It is a cross between Legend (m. acuminata x m. acuminata ssp. subcordata, 1985) and Butterflies (m. acuminata x m. denudata ‚Sawada’s Cream‘, 1988). The most interesting fact about it breeding is that neither of its parents or grandparents has pink colour. Legend is cream and Butterflies is pure yellow. Genetics has just one term for it: magic! Coral Lake magnolia produces firm, semi-double, fragrant flowers whose elongated petals are pink outside with yellow-green flames ascending from the calyx, and pale yellow inside, a colour combination creating a stunning warm salmon pink shade. Deciduous leaves are 10-15 cm long, broadly ovate, mid green. The plant forms well-branched, freely flowering, large shrubs or small trees with rounded canopies. Blooming begins in mid or late April.

It was bred by David G. Leach (1913-1998) from Madison in Ohio, USA, a famous rhododendron breeder who in 1980’s wanted to get a yellow flowering magnolia with late flowers that can escape frosts. Coral Lake was among his 9 varieties, and even though it turned out complete different from his expectations it ironically became a piece that brought him fame.

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 you 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 important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus, you could be digging it a grave. Hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 14-12-2020