Botanical experts consider yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata) to be one of the most attractive Magnolia species on the planet. In ancient China, yulan magnolia was a revered gift often bestowed upon emperors. This species has ivory flowers that are lemon-scented.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Magnolia denudata, the lilytree or Yulan magnolia (simplified Chinese: 玉兰花; traditional Chinese: 玉蘭花; pinyin: yùlánhuā; lit. ‘jade orchid/lily’), is native to central and eastern China. It has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist temple gardens since 600 AD. Its flowers were regarded as a symbol of purity in the Tang dynasty and it was planted in the grounds of the emperor’s palace. It is the official city flower of Shanghai.
Magnolia denudata is a rather low, rounded, thickly branched, and coarse-textured tree to 30 feet (9.1 m) tall. The leaves are ovate, bright green, 15 cm long and 8 cm wide. The bark is a coarse, dark gray. The 10–16 cm white flowers that emerge from early to late spring, while beautiful and thick with a citrus-lemon fragrance, are prone to browning if subjected to frost.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The positioning of your yulan magnolia is also an important consideration. Despite being able to cope with cooler climates, they will prefer a sunny spot in the garden with some partial shade for protection during the summer months.
Temperature
To avoid damaging early flowering buds, keep yulan magnolia in its preferred moderate to warm temperatures. Most varieties can withstand weather conditions in hardiness zones 4-9. Yulan magnolia should only need watering as younger, newly planted trees, or during periods of drought. You can also help your tree retain moisture with a layer of mulch around its base.
Watering
Yulan magnolia should only need watering as younger, newly planted trees, or during periods of drought. If yulan magnolia is planted in the garden, it should be watered immediately after planting, and again when the water has seeped through, and repeated 4-5 times. Water it a second time 3 days after planting and a third time 5 days after planting.
After that, watering can be sparingly done, and established plants can absorb moisture from the soil. Pay close attention to checking if they survive. In the hot seasons, a little water can be used in the morning and evening, while in other seasons it is not necessary.
Soil
Yulan magnolia prefers acidic soils, which is important to consider if you are gardening in alkaline soil such as clay or chalk. Add a layer of peat when planting your yulan magnolia to help raise acidity levels. In areas where soil remains wet, particularly during the winter months, this is no reason to worry: yulan magnolia can happily cope with compact, rich soil.
Fertilizing
Organic fertilizer should be applied to the base of the plant in spring. At this time of year, your yulan magnolia will just be starting to develop leaves and will want extra nitrogen to help with their production. This gives plants the energy to bloom a little later in the season. Therefore, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer such as dried-blood meal is recommended.
Later in the year, and particularly if your region has had heavy rain over the growing season, yulan magnolia benefits from a lighter feed of fertilizer to help return vital nutrients into the ground. A fertilizer with potassium, such as potash, is suitable at this time of year and can be applied during fall before the tree becomes dormant over the winter.
Planting Instructions
The best time to plant young yulan magnolia is during the spring. plants should be kept well-watered, and benefit from the addition of organic matter or pre-mixed fertilizer to promote strong, healthy growth. This should be mixed in with the soil around the roots of new plants. Be sure to choose a location with plenty of room for your plant to grow.
Pruning
Yulan magnolia requires little pruning. In fact, pruning can harm the trees or prevent flowering if pruned back too hard. Therefore, a light trim of younger trees during late spring/summer after they have finished blooming is all that is recommended to help shape your plant and to encourage more blooms in the coming years. Remove any damaged branches and ones that are crossing over. You can also trim back any extra-long, leggy shoots. Consider the tree shape when pruning your yulan magnolia, and always aim for a balanced, open structure.
Propagation
Although people typically plant yulan magnolia as a young or established tree, it is also possible to sow them from seed. However, it is hard to buy seeds. If you already have a tree, keep an eye out for the exotic-looking fruits and collect the seed pods during early fall when they are still fresh.
Remove the seeds from the red Magnolia berries and follow these steps to ensure germination:
- Soak the seeds overnight, remove the following day, and rub the outer coating of the seeds off using a coarse cloth.
- Chill the seeds in a refrigerator for up to three months in a pot of moist sand.
Seeds will then be ready for planting into pots or directly into the ground. Keep them out of direct sunlight and ensure they are well-watered until seedlings emerge. Yulan magnolia can take between 10-15 years to flower for the first time, so growing from seeds is by no means a short term project.
Propagation of yulan magnolia can also be achieved by layering. If you have a deciduous tree, softwood cuttings can be taken during spring/summer. If you have an evergreen tree, it is possible to take cuttings of semi-ripe wood later in the growing year during fall.
Transplanting
The perfect time to transplant yulan magnolia lies in the early to mid-spring season, as this allows for optimal root development before summer heat. Ensure yulan magnolia is placed in a well-drained location with partial to full sun. A friendly tip: when transplanting, avoid damaging tender roots for successful growth.
Pests and Diseases
Some common diseases may damage Yulan magnolia such as:
- Anthrax: This pest disease attacks the leaves of this plant and creates spots on them. And in serious attacks, it can become the reason behind the death of these beautiful flowers.
- Root rot: Due to an excessive amount of water or dryness, this plant can be affected by root rot. So it is very important to give a balanced amount of water to this plant.
III. Uses and Benefits
Suited to both small and large spaces, yulan magnolia add variety to the garden and take center stage during early spring, when there is often little color elsewhere. For anyone considering adding yulan magnolia to their garden, other spring-blooming plants make for the perfect companions. These include Daffodils, Hyacinth, and Crocus, as well as other shrubs such as Camellias.
Moreover Yulan magnolia doesn’t need any high maintenance and care.
Find Where to Buy the Best Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata)
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