Magnolia 'GOLDEN SUN' magnolia

Golden Sun magnolia is a hybrid of cucumber magnolia (m.acuminata) and m.denudata, made by an American breeder David Leach in 1997. The result is a fantastic, strong yellow flowering magnolia with quite large, sweetly scented flowers in late April and early May. Production of flowers is reliable every year and increases with plant’s age. As this magnolia gets older it makes flower buds also inside the shrub which open later than the flowers towards the ends of the branches, thus extending its blooming time. The leaves are almost as large as on m. denudata species, mid green, firm and deciduous. Golden Sun forms a pyramidal shape, growing about 20 cm per year.

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.-25°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 04-03-2012; 14-01-2025