Magnolia grandiflora 'FRANCOIS TREYVE' southern magnolia, bull bay
size/type
taller shrub,taller shrub
usual height
3-6m
usual width
2-3m
leaves
evergreen broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-August
location
full sun
soil type
acidic (peaty)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
7 (down to -23°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Evergreen magnolias are the queens of flowering trees. We choose the most beautiful and at the same time hardiest varieties. Francois Treyve is a French variety, more than 100 years old. It was found by a gardener and landscape designer of the same name in Auvergne in late 19th century. It is ideal for Central-European cultivation thanks to its hardiness. It survived the worst winters of 1870 and 1880 in France while its lowest record was -28°C in Arboretum de Balaine. Being quite difficult to propagate not many plants are usually found in nurseries which still makes it quite rare.
Description of the plant:
Francois Treyve evergreen magnolia is more compact than the species. It bears deep green, glossy, broadly ovate or almost rounded leaves with cinnamon-brown leathery undersides that protect them from drying winds and cold. Flowers appear from the first hot and sunny days of summer. They are beautiful as on any bull bay magnolia, creamy white in colour, 20 cm or a little more across, very fragrant. One flower lasts for 1-3 days only but they pop up continuously one by one. Well established, mature plants can produce buds and bloom for as long as 2 months if the weather is sunny and warm. It grows into a large shrub or a small tree of oval shape. It does not make wayward branches like the species and remains rather compact which makes it suitable for mid-sized or even reasonably small-ish gardens. It flowers on mature shoots which are usually the ones from previous year so any form of pruning may significantly limit the number of flowers. Pruning is not recommended in zone 6, anyway. As an evergreen, summer-blooming plant it is ideal for planting near swimming pools and patios where you can enjoy summer most.
Finding it a good location is a crucial key to healthy life of bull bay magnolias. Ideal spot is the one with plenty of direct sunlight in summer, protected from cutting winds, and some shade in winter. The soil MUST be well-drained, constantly moist, and preferably acidic to prevent from chlorosis, very rich in humus and possibly some clay in lower parts. It needs a lot of nutrients so fertilizing is suggested in the first few years after transplanting. Use organic matter or slow-release fertilizers with balanced levels of nitrogen. Solely nitrogen-based solutions are only advisable during regeneration phases and should not be used later than end of June.
It is hardy to about -24°C (USDA zone 6). Should the temperature drop lower or long-lasting frost is forecast we recommend covering it with white woven only for the coldest days FOR MAXIMUM 2 WEEKS. It should be removed during cloudy weather. In winter provide careful watering in frost-free periods if the ground is not dry and not frozen.
Last update 27-01-2011
SIZES and PRICES
shrub
height 140-160 cm, width 30-40 cm
5 530 Kč
height of stem 190-200 cm, girth 8-10 cm, crown width 40-60 cm
8 950 Kč
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
