Magnolia 'Jurmag1' BLACK TULIP® magnolia

Another jewel among magnolias came from New Zealand, again, and was raised by Mark Jury. Its name is Black Tulip® and has been sought after thanks to its very deep purple colour of flowers. They are rich purple in colour, not too large – only about 10-15 cm across, goblet-shaped making a tight cup that almost never opens up. Thick, waxy petals are not translucent which emphasizes the flower colour. Deciduous leaves are mid green. The plant grows into an upright shrub at moderate growth rate. Protected in EU by grant No. 14218 (Plant Breeders Rights).

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. Thus you could be digging its grave. It is fully hardy to -27°C and supposed to survive -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 25-02-2010