The magnolias, which usually bloom very lushly between March and April, can be found in almost every front yard and in many parks. Its beautiful, bright white, pink or red flowers and intense fragrance are a real eye-catcher. Hardly anyone knows, however, that this plant genus is threatened with extinction in the wild.
Origin and distribution of the magnolia
The approximately 230 known magnolia species all belong to the magnolia family (Magnoliaceae), which also includes the tulip trees (Liriodendron), which are particularly widespread in China. The various magnolias are originally native to North and Central America and East Asia, but have now become a cultivated plant in many gardens around the world. Due to the intensive agricultural use of their habitats, more than 130 magnolias are on the Red List as endangered species.
Blooming magnolias herald spring
Magnolias have a very large variety of different species and varieties, the flowers of which differ greatly in shape and color. We have summarized some of the most important types in this table:
| magnolia species | Latin name | flower color | heyday | height | particularities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulip Magnolia | Magnolia × soulangeana | white-pink | March to April | up to 9 meters high tree | sensitive to late frost |
| purple magnolia | Magnolia liliflora | strong purple to dark red | April to May | mostly shrub | well suited for bucket keeping |
| summer magnolia | Magnolia sieboldii | White | May to June | mostly shrub | little sensitive to frost |
| star magnolia | Magnolia stellata | White | March to April | can grow up to 2 meters high | Easy to care for, but sensitive to frost |
| Evergreen magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | White | April to June | up to 35 meters high | evergreen, hardy |
| Magnolia "Daphne" | Magnolia Daphne | yellow | April to June | only grows about 1/2 meter high | very rare |
The star magnolia with its narrow, star-shaped petals is particularly suitable for smaller gardens. This species grows up to two meters high and branches out very profusely. The tulip magnolia, which can be found in many gardens, is particularly suitable as a solitary eye-catcher, but also the distinctive purple magnolia and the very tall evergreen magnolia.
appearance and use
The magnolia plant family is around 130 million years old. As a result, today's magnolia species still have a comparatively simple flower structure, which is made up for by their breathtaking beauty. There are both deciduous and evergreen species, with the very early flowering magnolias only developing their leaves after flowering. The older a magnolia tree is, the more lush its flowers grow. Unlike other early bloomers, magnolias do not age.
tips and tricks
Before you decide on a magnolia variety from the garden center, take a good look around. There are many different breeds with distinctive flower colors and shapes, most of which come from the USA and New Zealand.
IJA