Magnolia 'MGEMP2012' EMPEROR magnolia

With the new millennium, large-flowered magnolias seem to have become a new fashion for broad public and collectibles for magnolia enthusiasts. The number of new cultivars increases every year. EMPEROR is an impressive one from New Zealand based breeder Vance Hooper. It is a cross between Felix Jury and Genie from 2006. Its flowers, even on young plants, are approx. 20 cm across, and with age their span increases to amazing 25 cm. They are deep purple pink on the outside and just a tone lighter on the inside. Their fragrance is strong and sweet. Upon opening the flowers are tulip-like and later they change to a goblet shape. Blooming kicks off at the beginning of the second phase of magnolia flowering, usually late April or early May which helps it escape late frosts. The leaves are ovate to obovate, medium green, deciduous. EMPEROR magnolia grows moderately into an upright, well-branched shrub about 5 meters in height and about half of it in width.

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 6).

Last update 11-04-2024