Magnolia 'RED LUCKY' magnolia

Red Lucky magnolia is an introduction of the new millennium from China. You may ask why they bred a pink one when there are plenty of pink magnolias in the trade. Well, first because every magnolia is somewhat different be it pink, purple or white, and secondly, this one blooms for the second time in late summer, thanks to one of its parents magnolia x soulangeana which reliably offers a second flush of flowers in August.

Red Lucky magnolia produces cup-shaped, semi-large, fragrant flowers from late April until mid May. They are white inside, decorated with a centre of deep purple pink stamens, and medium rosy red or pink outside. The coverage of the outer petals with a colour differs plant to plant but on average is about 50%. The leaves are medium sized, deciduous, deep green, without a notable autumn colour. It forms an upright growing shrub or a small tree of a compact shape with good branching structure and many flowers.

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. 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. Hardy to approx. -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 15-02-2014