Magnolias and their Relatives Facts Magnolia Walk

Asian species generally bloom before The genus Magnolia has over 80 species of trees and shrubs distributed in their leaves unfold from the buds. At eastern North America, Mexico, and Asia. These are some of the most Hoyt Arboretum these trees are usually in popular ornamental species because of their unsurpassed beauty when in full flower in early April. bloom. are known to be among the most ancient flowering plants American species flower during the from fossil remains dating back more than one hundred million years. From summer months with some repeat that time to now, the flowering structures of these plants have remained blooming until late fall. relatively unchanged. Magnolias are pollinated by beetles.

Tulip trees can be M. soulangiana, Liriodendron or Yulan magnolia.

Other places to see Magnolias at

Magnolia x veitchii Bishops Close: At the end of Military Hoyt Lane in Lake Oswego; former Kerr Estate. Magnolias have been cultivated since 600 A.D. in Asia, but the first one arrived Arboretum in a European garden in 1688. Many have been bred or selected since Crystal Springs Rhodendron Garden: then to provide a wider range of colors, forms, and flowering times. The name SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR of the genus commemorates Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), an early director of Hendricks Park: Located in Eugene, OR “Aristocrats of anciant lineage, possessed of the botanic garden in Montpelier, France. many superlative qualities are the magnolias. They have the largest flowers and the largest Botanic characteristics link several other genera native to similar regions of individual leaves of any hardy group of trees... their free-flowering character and great the world to the Magnolias. Tulip trees (Liriodendron) are deciduous trees Hoyt Arboretum is Portland’s beauty of blossom are equalled by the ease often used as street trees. Newly recognized genera from include many global garden in the wild with which they may be cultivated.” evergreen flowering relatives such as Manglietia, Michelia, and Parakmeria. A where we grow and exhibit E. H. “Chinese”Wilson number of their species are endangered in China and nurseries are working to trees and plants from around grow and preserve them, thus making plants newly available to the public. the world, while educating 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. our community and helping to conserve Portland, OR 97221 vitally important bio-diversity. (503) 865-8733 www.hoytarboretum.org Magnolia x soulangiana Magnolia macrophyllum Magnolia sprengeri Saucer magnolia Bigleaf cucumber tree This is an example of a true tree within This best known group of Resembling the leaves of a banana, this the Magnolia genus, growing to 50 feet Magnolia hybrids was originally Magnolia has the largest leaves of any tall. It is native to the woods of central bred by a soldier turned measuring up to three feet in length and China at higher elevations. The darker, horticulturist, Soulange-Bodin, almost one foot wide. Its summer flowers reddish purple flowers show up well high after the Battle of Waterloo in are proportionately larger, growing up to in its native forest canopy in midspring. 1815. the cross of M. denudata one foot in diameter. and M. liliflora brought pinks and purples into the larger Magnolia goblet shape of the Yulan sieboldii Magnolia stellata flower. Oyamana Star magnolia magnolia Planted in 1935, this Delightful old specimen fragrances Magnolia shows the Magnolia denudata from pure grandiflora characteristic Yulan magnolia white flowers with maroon centers Southern magnolia dense twiggy blooming in May separate M. sieboldii appearance of Fragrant pure and its close relatives, M. wilsonii The Southern Star magnolia. white flowers in and M. watsonii from other earlier or magnolia is a more It begins showing star-like white flowers early spring are the later flowering Magnolia species. The widely cultivated in March before its leaves unfurl. During attraction on this differences between these species is the than any other evergreen ornamental tree, the winter, leaf and flower buds are species native to orientation of the flower. M. sieboldii being relatively wind, heat, pollution and covered with wooly coats. eastern china. In faces horizontal to the ground, M. wilsonii drought tolerant. Its ability due to the 600 AD. Buddhist hangs downward, and M. watsonii faces rusty indumentum on the undersurface monks collected the upward. Lily Tree to plant of the leaves. The large, fragrant creamy- Magnolia virginiana in their temple gardens. Chinese artists white flowers bloom in the summer Manglietia insignis Sweet bay magnolia depicted the Yulan flowers in many of months. their paintings, on porcelain, in carvings, Endangered in China, efforts are being Suitable for swampy Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ and embroideries. made to grow this beautiful Red Lotus areas, the eastern tree in other places of the world to species was the first Developed from a cross between the preserve it. Its flower shape along with Magnolia to be planted Chinese M. denudata and the American that of several other genera, including in a European garden M. acuminata, the yellow flowers appear the Michelia and Parakmeria specimens in 1688. It has a wide native range in late spring. This is becoming growing in the Arboretum, are similar to from Florida and Texas to Nova Scotia. more common due to its propagation characteristics of Magnolia and classified Fragrant, creamy flowers appear in the through tissue culture techniques. in the same plant family. summer.