Magnolia 'Athene'
Family - Magnoliaceae
Category - Tree
Hybrid Parents - Magnolia 'Mark Jury' x Magnolia soulangeana 'Lennei Alba'
Origin - Bred in New Zealand
Discovered By - Bred by Felix Jury
Year of Introduction - 1960's
Season of Interest - Spring
Hardiness - H5
Height - up to 7m
Width - up to 5m
Location - The Woodland Walk
Description: Small to medium-sized Deciduous tree with an upright habit that gradually becomes more rounded with age. The leaves are mid-green and oblong to Elliptic in shape. Fragrant white flowers, each with a pink base are cup and saucer-shaped. Flowers are produced in early to mid-spring before the leaves emerge and are followed by large, cone-like seed Capsules with orange-red seed.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
The genus Magnolia is named in honour of Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), a renowned botany professor and director of the botanic garden in Montpellier, France.
Flower:
Large, white, cup and saucer-shaped flowers are pink at the base and sweetly scented. Flowers are produced in March and April before the leaves emerge and are followed by cone-like fruit with bright red-orange seed.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Cup and saucer-shaped flowers
Flowering time: March, April
Foliage:
Large, mid-green leaves are oblong to Elliptic in shape and Alternately arranged along the branches. The leaves emerge after the flowers have been produced.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oblong to elliptic
Propagation:
Cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in moisture retentive, but well drained soil that is neutral to acidic.