Magnolia flower plant : Description, Planting & Uses

                                                               Magnolia
Magnolia is the kind of large shrub flowering plant. They have evergreen or deciduous, alternate smooth-margined leaves.The flowers are usually cuplike and fragrant, are located at the branch tips and have three sepals, six to 12 petals arranged in two to four series and colour of white, pink or purple.The seeds are usually reddish and may remain dormant for many years (15-20 years).

Botanical Name : Magnolia

Family :Magnoliaceae

Plant Height: 90 ft

Foliage Color : Green

Flower Color : White, Pink or Purple.

Flower Size : 3-12" diameter

Tempareture: 10-20℃

Light Requirements :Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade

Soil Type : Loamy Soil, Drought/Dry Soil, Moist/Wet Soil

Advantages : Easy to Grow, Native


PLANTING

The plant can be grown in both hot and cold areas. It likes full sun. Magnolias need a lot of space to grow in. They are mostly half as wide as their height.

1. At first dig a hole twice as wide as rootball but not quite as deep.

2. If the soil is heavy that doesn’t drain well, dig a 24 to 36-inch post hole in the bottom of planting hole and fill it full of gravel.

3. Plant the tree a little higher than the existing grade around it.

4. Water it in well and make sure that it doesn’t dry out in the first year. Magnolias like their roots to be moist, but not wet.

5. Apply mulch about one-inch deep, covering the root ball and soil to at least the drip line of the tree.

6. Apply a small amount of low-dose fertilizer, such as a 4-1-2, around the drip line of the tree once a month.

USES

• Magnolias make wonderful fresh cut flowers. They will add charm, elegance and fragrant to any arrangement. The flowers will last about a week in a vase.
• The fragrant magnolia is a popular ingredient in floral perfumes.
• The flowers can be used to make essential oil. Magnolia essential oil is used to calm nerves and can act as an aphrodisiac.
• The seeds are food for birds, squirrels and other small animals.
• The aromatic, bitter bark is sometimes used for the adulteration of cinnamon.
• Soil under tree cover shows an increase in pH, soil organic carbon and available phosphorus.