Magnolia 'SUSANNA VAN VEEN' magnolia

Susanna van Veen is a melodious name for a beautiful magnolia. It is a cross between m.sprengeri „Diva“ and m.sargentiana „Robusta“. It bears large flowers that are clear rosy pink with no purple shades. Flowers open from furry buds into wide open lotus-like shape. Magnolias flower on bare wood in early spring. Deciduous leaves are mid green and the plant forms a large, oval-shape to rounded shrub with age.

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 17-09-2010