Magnolia 'IOLANTHE' magnolia

Iolanthe is a New Zealand magnolia hybrid bred and introduced by Felix M.Jury in 1984. It bears large flowers that open from deep rosy pink buds into somewhat rounded flowers that are pinky-purple outside and almost white inside with a very conspicuous centre full of red stamens which makes it look like a giant poppy flower. The deciduous leaves are fresh green, ovate to obovate and densely cover the whole plant when in leaf. It grows fast when young, slowing down as it matures. It will reach about 4m tall and wide in our climate.

It is interesting to trace back history of the variety name origin. Iolanthe, in fact, is an opera that was first premiered in Savoy Theatre in London in 1882. It is a story, both satiric and magical, about a band of fairies at odds with the House of Peers. The sparkle to the show was definitely given by the fact that it was the first opera performance after the theatre had become wired for electricity as the first theatre in the world. That enabled effects that the audience had never seen before and, perhaps, this may have been the reason why Felix Jury gave his magnolia the same name describing a plant "never seen before".

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. It is hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 16-09-2010