A variant of wood magnolia, magnolias ‘Ann’ sports large but delicate flowers that carry hints of white, pink, and purple. This cultivar blossoms at a younger age than other wood magnolias. It also blooms early in the year and is often planted for this purpose, as it reliably flowers before the rest of the garden. It can tolerate full sun or partial shade.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Magnolia Ann is a later-blooming magnolia that escapes such carnage. From the ‘Little Girl’ series, it blooms in April and May and sporadically through summer. The small, tidy stature and no-prune nature makes it an ideal choice for the average garden. Plant this magnolia in late fall or early winter in the South. Lightly fragrant, purple-red cup-shaped blooms grow to 4 inches across. Ann can be grown as a tree or shrub. It grows at a moderate rate, about 1 to 2 feet per year, and matures at 8 to 12 feet.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
For the best flowering, magnolia Ann needs 6 hours of bright sunlight daily. Although tolerant of heat, this shrub thrives best in moderate temperatures and benefits from afternoon shade when grown in especially sunny and warm climates. Too much shade can result in fewer and less vibrant flowers.
Temperature and Humidity
Magnolia Ann is hardy in USDA growing zones 4 through 9 but performs best in regions with moderately warm summers and chilly but mild winters. This hybrid withstands freezing temperatures of -30 degrees F., making it a good choice for northern zones. Humidity levels of 30 to 50 percent are adequate.
Watering
Plan to water magnolia Ann twice weekly for the first six months after planting. Once established, you only need to water during extreme drought.
Water thoroughly at ground level until it no longer drains into the soil. Overly saturated, soggy soil damages shallow roots.
Soil
Magnolia Ann adapts to many of soil types, even clay, but a slightly acidic soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is needed for healthy growth and flowering. If your soil is too alkaline (above a 7.0 pH), increase acidity by adding peat at planting time. Rich, moderately moist, well-draining soil is ideal.
Fertilizing
How to feed your magnolia Ann may be partly determined by soil type. Organic nitrogen-based fertilizers like bloodmeal work well for these smaller ornamental shrubs. You can also apply a slow-release liquid fertilizer such as an NPK 20-5-10 or 12-4-8.
Feed in April and continue monthly through mid-July. Feed pot-grown magnolia Ann every two weeks during the growing season.
Planting Instructions
In southern zones, plant magnolia Ann in late autumn or early winter. Early spring planting is recommended for northern zones. Whatever location you plant magnolia Ann should be its permanent location, as its shallow roots don’t respond well to being moved. A good spot receives morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially in the plant’s southernmost range where afternoons temperatures get hot. Provide shelter from potential cold winter winds in northern areas.
To plant, dig a hole 1 1/2 times as wide as the rootball and just deep enough so the uppermost root sits level with the soil line. Spread the roots out around the base of the trunk and fill in with soil. Tamp soil down to hold the shrub upright and water gently but thoroughly at soil level.
Adding aged compost, bloodmeal, or NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting time supplies nitrogen needed for vigorous initial growth. A 2- to 3-inch mulch layer keeps soil moist and cool.
Pruning
This tree rounds as it grows so minimal pruning is needed. One word of warning: Their multi-stemmed forms resemble that of crepe myrtle, leading some to commit “magnolia murder” by decapitating the end of each limb every winter or spring. This cuts off all the flower buds, wrecking your springtime flower show. There is seldom a wayward branch, so put away the loppers unless you find a dead or damaged branch to remove. If you need to reshape your magnolia, save it for when the tree has finished blooming.
Propagation
This magnolia is best propagated by cuttings. Take softwood cuttings to propagate in spring and summer, and semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and fall. Growing this hybrid from seeds doesn’t create an identical version of the parent plant. Here’s how to propagate by cuttings:
- Use clean, sharp pruning shears to trim a 4- to 6-inch piece from the tip of a branch, including some semi-hardwood.
- Remove all leaves except for two at the tip from the cutting.
- Place cuttings in a jar of water or a damp paper towel after cutting to keep them moist.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Plant in well-draining soil in small 6-inch pots with drainage holes.
- Keep the soil moist and out of direct sunlight until roots have formed, after about a few weeks.
How To Grow From Seed
Magnolia Ann is a hybrid plant that does produce seed pods, however, growing it from seed does not produce a plant that’s identical to the parent plant.
Potting and Repotting
Compact magnolias like Ann can be grown in pots. Start with a large pot several sizes larger than the tree’s root ball, such as a 3-gallon container, and make sure it has drainage holes. Add a layer of rocks or perlite to the bottom to aid drainage. Fill the pot with well-draining soil with some compost added.
Apply fertilizer, water, and add a layer of mulch at the top to protect shallow roots. Place the pot in full sun. Water a few times a week for the first few months until established. Since pots dry out quickly, a potted magnolia needs watering more frequently than one planted in the ground. Increase the container size as the tree grows, and repot in spring or fall. If desired, transplant to the ground in late winter or early spring.
Overwintering
Magnolia Ann is quite cold hardy and doesn’t require much winter protection. High winds can damage this shrub so choose a planting spot with some shelter. Protect shallow roots with a layer of mulch during winter.
How To Get To Bloom
Purple-red blossoms appear in April and May, a couple of weeks after other magnolia varieties. The large cup-shaped flowers are lightly scented and begin to open before or just as leaves appear. In some areas, the magnolia may continue to bloom throughout the season. There are a few reasons why they may not bloom. Too little sunlight or not enough acid in the soil can decrease blooms. Magnolias should be planted in a sunny location so they will flower. Use a nitrogen-based fertilizer to encourage blooming.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
This small hybrid magnolia is fairly resistant to pests, but can be damaged by weevils, snails, scale and thrips. Treat the entire plant with horticultural or neem oil.
Potential diseases include leaf spots, anthracnose, canker, dieback and powdery mildew. Most of these problems occur due to overwatering or foliage that stays wet. Always water at soil level and prune out diseased branches and leaves. Severe issues can be treated with copper-based fungicide.
Common Problems
Magnolias are fairly easy to care for, though there are a few issues to look out for.
- Yellow Leaves
Leaves on magnolia Ann naturally turn yellow in autumn. It’s a deciduous shrub so expect foliage to eventually turn brown and fall off. But during the growing season, yellowing leaves may be the result of too much or too little sunlight or water.
- Flowers Fail to Open
Flowers that never open is a common problem for many magnolia varieties. It’s usually caused by late frost that damages the flower buds, though it may be due to insufficient light or overwatering.
- Tip Dieback
When the tips of branches turn hard and brown it’s usually due to frost damage. Magnolia Ann is frost and freeze hard, but the shrub can be damaged by strong, cold winds. Plant this shrub in a location with some protection from winter winds and keep it mulched.
III. Uses and Benefits
Spectacular as a specimen plant for dramatic spring blooms. Magnolia Ann is great flowering tree for city gardens or cottage gardens.