Magnolia (syn. 'Red As Red') 'RED AS' magnolia

Red As magnolia (sometimes referred to as Red As Red) by Ian Baldick is a hybrid between the varieties Pickard’s Ruby and Vulcan and has been on the market since 2004. It produces stunning, chalice-shaped flowers of a deep purple-red colour especially on the outside, and a tone paler inside, and belongs among the most intensely coloured magnolias. It starts blooming a bit later than the earliest species but earlier than the late hybrids. Same as money other flowering shrubs, this magnolia, too, needs a few years to establish and to deepen its flower colour – young plants usually have much paler flowers.

It carries the genes of the species soulangeana and campbellii, which are larger trees with beautifully shaped flowers, but also of m. liliiflora, which resulted in more compact habit and slower growth, highlighting the abundance of flowers even on relatively small plants. Still, you can count on a mature height of around 4 meters (13 feet) and 3 meters (10 feet) in width. The deciduous leaves are medium green, broadly oval to obovate, and fairly large.

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. -23 °C (USDA zone 6) and further trials continue.

Last update 14-01-2025