Magnolia globosa

Family - Magnoliaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Western China, Himalayas
Discovered By - George Forrest, plant hunter
Year of Introduction - 1920
Hardiness - H4
Height - 3m or more
Width - 2m
Location - The Woodland Walk

Description: A large, Deciduous Shrub (occasionally grown as a tree) with an upright, bushy habit. Large, leathery leaves are oval to Elliptic in shape. The young foliage is covered in rusty-coloured felt and gradually turns to glossy dark green with age. Large, nodding to outward-facing flowers are cup and saucer-shaped and highly fragrant. The Blooms are creamy-white and the inner petals are flushed with deep rose pink. At the centre of each Bloom is a green cone surrounded by a ring of deep red stamens. The Blooms are held singly on the branches and produced in early and midsummer. The flowers are followed by pendulous deep red cones.

Flower:

Large, nodding to outward-facing flowers are cup and saucer-shaped and fragrant. The blooms are creamy white and the inner petals are flushed with deep rose pink. At the centre of each flower is a green cone surrounded by a crown of deep red stamens. The blooms are held singly on the branches and produced in June and July. Once the flowers have finished the green cone gradually becomes pendulous and turns deep red.

Flower colour: White, pink

Flower shape: Cup and saucer-shaped flowers held singly

Flowering time: June, July

Foliage:

Large leathery leaves are oval to Elliptic in shape. The new growth emerges covered in rust-coloured down and will mature to glossy dark green. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the upright branches.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Oval to elliptic

Propagation:

Cuttings.

Cultivation:

Best in a sheltered position in partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.