Magnolia 'GALAXY' magnolia

Galaxy magnolia was raised at U.S. National Arboretum in 1963, as a cross between purple-pink m. liliiflora ‚Nigra‘ and large-flowered m. sprengeri ‘Diva’. The result is a strong growing shrub or rather single-stemmed mid-sized tree with a thick leader, forming dense, oval to pyramidal shaped canopy with a profusion of flowers. They are extra-large: 15-30 cm across, cup-shaped as they open and almost star-shaped with 12 wide tepals when mature. They are fragrant, bright purple-pink outside and almost white inside. The tree is rather impressive when blooming is at its peak. Deciduous leaves are 18-20 cm long, ovate, mid green with some glaucous hues underneath.

Galaxy magnolia is sought-after especially for three reasons. It starts flowering later in the season – commonly in late April escaping late spring frosts. It is one of the few spring flowering magnolias with extended blooming period of up to 6 weeks. And finally, it is very hardy surviving -34 °C making it suitable for exposed locations of mountainous regions of Central and North Europe, too. It was introduced and released to commerce in 1980.

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 min. -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 11-12-2020