Phonetic Spelling:mag-NO-lee-ah lil-lee-FLOR-uh
Genus:Magnolia
Species:liliiflora
Family:Magnoliaceae
The bark of this plant ranges from light gray to brown and is prone to powdery mildew.
For optimal growth, it thrives in soils that are organically rich, neutral to slightly acidic, and maintain medium moisture while being well-drained. It prefers full sun to partial shade and benefits from a layer of mulch around the root zone to help retain moisture. Additionally, a sheltered location that protects it from strong winds is ideal, but it’s best to avoid warm southern exposures, as these can lead to early bud opening in the spring. The fleshy root system is delicate and can be easily damaged during transplanting, so careful selection of the planting site is crucial, and once established, the magnolia should remain undisturbed. Pruning should be done as necessary right after flowering, with minimal intervention required aside from removing any dead or damaged branches.
The ‘Susan’ variety is a hybrid resulting from the cross between M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’. It belongs to the Little Girl series, which includes other hybrids such as ‘Ann’, ‘Betty’, ‘Jane’, ‘Judy’, ‘Pinkie’, ‘Randy’, ‘Ricki’, and ‘Susan’. This series was developed at the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s by Francis DeVos and William Kosar. Plants in this series bloom approximately 2-4 weeks later than M. stellata and M. x soulangiana, thereby minimizing the risk of flower damage from late spring frosts.
‘Susan’ is particularly recognized for its compact, shrubby form, fragrant fuchsia flowers, and late blooming period, which occurs from mid-April to early May. It is a slow-growing deciduous shrub or small tree that typically reaches heights of 8-12 feet over time. The goblet-shaped flowers, featuring six slightly twisted tepals, emerge just before the leaves appear. These flowers, which can reach up to 5 inches in width, display a purple-red or fuchsia hue with lighter shades on the inside. There may be occasional repeat blooming in mid-summer. The medium green leaves are ovate and can grow up to 6 inches long, turning a yellow-bronze color in the fall.
Magnolia liliiflora Feature Summary
Magnolia liliiflora Image Gallery
