Magnolia 'SWEET MERLOT' magnolia

Sweet Merlot is another New Zealand gem bred by magnolia guru Vance Hooper from 2004. It rose from the same breeding of m. x soulangeana ‘Sweet Simplicity’ which was used as a parent for its slow and compact growth. Other varieties are Old Port and Sweet Valentine. Second parent of Sweet Merlot was Black Tulip owing to which it makes small, globular flowers of the richest purple red colour, as if you look through a glass of Merlot against the sun. The inside of the petals is slightly lighter than the outside.

It blooms from about mid April and usually escapes late frosts. Deciduous leaves are 10-15 cm long, broadly ovate, mid green. The plant forms compact, densely branched, slow to moderately growing, oval-shaped shrubs 3-4 m tall in 20 years.

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 about -27 °C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 14-12-2020