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Incredibly tender, exotic Sulange magnolia has been pleasing gardeners for two hundred years with its early, abundant flowering. The plant is characterized by increased winter hardiness, and therefore takes root well even in the temperate climate zone. Read more about the agricultural technology of this culture in our article.
Description and characteristics of magnolias Sulanza
Magnolia Soulangeana was bred by French originators by hybridization of two species: Liliiflora and Denudata. This is a tree-like deciduous plant of the Magnolia family with a well-developed, branched, superficial root system. Upright strong shoots form a sprawling bush of spherical or cone-shaped shape, 2-8 m high. Leaf plates are round-elongated, pointed at the ends, grassy-green color scheme. On the reverse side matte, covered with small pile.
Hybrid Sulange refers to early varieties that bloom in March-April. Inflorescences up to 20-25 cm in size resemble an open bowl or glass. The color depends on the variety, but is limited to several palettes: white, pink, scarlet or purple. During flowering, magnolia emits a bright rich aroma, intensifying in the evening or during rain.
Unlike its mother varieties, this cultivar has winter hardiness down to -30 °C. Thanks to this quality, Sulange magnolia is successfully grown by gardeners in the Moscow region and even Siberia. Also, the southern beauty is immune to pests, fungal infections, and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Popular varieties with photos
For two hundred years, breeders have bred about two dozen hybrids based on Magnolia Soulangeana. All of them adopted only the best qualities from the mother plant, and therefore are not inferior to it in popularity. We will present a description of the most famous varieties below.
Alexandrina
A tree-like shrub about 6 m high and up to 4 m in diameter. Flowering occurs in May, the buds bloom evenly with foliage. Alexandrina inflorescences are large, 12-15 cm in size, odorless. The inner side of the petals is painted in a creamy white shade, the outer part is lilac-pink.
Alba Superba
Tall, but compact tree, growing up to 4 m. Platinum leaves are glossy, bright green in color. The buds are very large, delicate in color – snow-white, with a barely noticeable pinkish tint at the base. Alba Superba blooms for only three weeks from the end of the Arele – the beginning of May until the leaves appear.
Amabilis
Luxurious fragrant shrub 3-4 m high. Petals of a uniform creamy-white color are collected in the correct goblet shape. Amabalis blooms in the second half of spring, throwing out a huge number of small inflorescences with a diameter of about 8 cm. Flowering occurs simultaneously with the foliage blooming.
Andre Leroy
Srednerosly hybrid, growing no more than 4-5 m. Flowering occurs in mid-April, continues until the leaves appear. The buds are elongated, cup-shaped, 12-15 cm in size. The color is bicolor – snow-white inside and pink-lilac on the outside. The variety Andre Leroy is characterized by a delicate, delicate aroma.
Galaxy
A tall tree with a straight trunk and a cone-shaped narrowed regular crown. The cultivar blooms in May, first throwing out small inflorescences, and then leaves. The color of the petals is pink-scarlet with a purple tint. Galaxy has a rich sweet aroma, as well as long flowering.
Jenny
Compact, not too big magnolia up to 3 m high and about one and a half meters in diameter. The buds open first, before the foliage appears. The flowers are tulip-shaped, painted in the color of Burgundy wine with a purple tint, which gives the petals a velvety texture.
Linnaeus
Low-growing, neat hybrid growing up to two meters. Flowering occurs in May, coinciding with the blooming of foliage. The inflorescences are large, consisting of convex, fleshy bicolor petals: creamy white inside and dark, purplish pink on the outside.
The Linney variety is characterized by slow growth and maximum frost resistance.
dream princess
Shrub of medium size, no more than 4-5 m high. Giant buds with a diameter of 25 cm open in April-May, forming cup-shaped or goblet-shaped inflorescences. The inner side of the petals is snow-white, the outer side is red-pink or purple with white strokes. The aroma of the Princess of Dreams is subtle, unobtrusive.
Rustica Rubra
A tall cultivar that grows up to 7 m and has a spreading lush crown. The flowers are large, about 15 cm in size, shaped like a glass. Petals are fleshy, slightly convex. The outer color is pink with a scarlet tint, the inner color is creamy white. Rustica Rubra blooms in late April – early May.
Susan
A low hybrid reaches no more than 3 m. The crown is neat, cone-shaped, which eventually becomes more rounded. The buds are large, cup-shaped, fleshy texture. Color bicolor: snow-white inside and purplish-pink outside. The Susan variety is characterized by a delicate, delicate aroma.
Video “Growing magnolia in the open field”
In this video, experts explain how magnolia is cared for in unprotected ground.
Agrotechnics for growing Magnolia Sulange
Abundant flowering, as well as the health of a winter-hardy hybrid, depends on proper planting and proper care throughout the season. Read on to learn how to cultivate Magnolia Soulangeana.
Requirement for place and soil
The cultivar cannot be transplanted often, and therefore the choice of location must be approached responsibly. The hybrid loves good lighting, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Also, the plant does not grow well in lowland areas with stagnant moisture. It is best to plant it where the groundwater level is not higher than 1 m.
Magnolia Sulange grows well on nutritious, well-drained soils with neutral or slightly high acidity. The best option is loamy or sandy loamy soils with an appropriate pH level.
Time of disembarkation
Young bushes are transplanted to a permanent place in April or October. According to some gardeners, it is best to plant in the fall. This is due to the fact that in the spring there is a risk of return frosts, which can have a detrimental effect on the fragile root system of the plant.
Landing pit preparation and landing rules
Before planting a magnolia in open ground, it is necessary to prepare a place in advance. To do this, dig holes twice the size of an earthen coma of a seedling. The interval between the pits should be at least two meters. Expanded clay or broken bricks are laid out at the bottom of the pits, and then partially filled with a substrate of garden soil, peat, humus and sand.
The landing algorithm itself is as follows:
- place the seedling in the hole, gently straightening the roots;
- placing the root collar at the level of the ground, fill the hole with the finished soil mixture;
- pour a bucket of warm settled water under the bush;
- allowing the soil to absorb all the moisture, fill up the remains of the substrate.
Watering, loosening and mulching
Immediately after planting, experienced gardeners recommend laying sawdust or peat mulch around the trunk circle. This will allow the soil to retain moisture longer, and will also prevent the growth of weeds.
Water the magnolia regularly, preventing the topsoil from drying out. Usually, one watering every two days is enough for the plant, however, in extreme heat, the procedure can be carried out daily. Foliar irrigation is also allowed in summer. Do it in the morning or after sunset.
Loosening the soil under the cultivar is carried out immediately after watering, trying not to touch the roots located close to the surface. Then the germinated weeds are removed.
Fertilizers and fertilizers
Fertilize magnolia begin only in the third year after planting. Do this annually, twice a season:
- before the start of the growing season;
- in the first half of summer (until mid-July).
Top dressing is carried out with special mineral complexes such as “Kemira” or Agrecol. The preparations are embedded in the ground or simply scattered around the trunk circle.
Ways of trimming
One of the advantages of the Soulangeana variety is the absence of the need for crown formation. In early spring, before the juices begin to move, sanitary pruning is carried out. During the procedure, frozen, dry or damaged branches are removed, as well as shoots growing inside the bush.
To protect the plant from infections, the cut points must be treated with garden pitch.
Author’s advice
Preparing for the winter season
Adult Sulange is able to endure severe frosts without additional shelter. Only young bushes under the age of three years need protection. Preparation for the dormant period begins with the cessation of watering. Further, the ground around the plant is mulched with peat or dry needles. Spruce branches are thrown on top of the magnolia, and then covered with spandbond.
Pest and disease control
Southern beauty Magnolia Soulangeana gets sick very rarely. Problems can arise from alkalization of the soil or non-compliance with the irrigation scheme. With chlorosis, when the foliage begins to become covered with yellow spots, it is enough to add lime to the soil to restore the desired acidity.
Often spider mites appear on the bush. To get rid of pests, insecticides such as “Aktara” or “Aktellik” are used. Sometimes the plant is attacked by rodents. Ultrasonic pest repellers will help to cope with pests.
Culture propagation methods
The Sulange hybrid reproduces in the same way as other flowering shrubs. Most often, gardeners use the method of cuttings:
- shoots are cut from biennial plants, and then treated with “Kornevin”;
- place the cutting in a substrate of peat and sand;
- well moisturize the surface;
- arrange a greenhouse, maintaining a temperature of + 23-25 ° C and a humidity of 50-55%;
- after a couple of months, rooted shoots are planted in separate containers;
- young growth is planted in a permanent place in the third year after planting.
A more difficult way to propagate magnolia is by seeds. Planting material is sown in the fall, having previously stratified. The containers are covered with foil and put in a cool place. In the spring, when the first shoots hatch, the polyethylene is removed, and the sprouts grow for another three years.
The use of Sulange magnolia in landscape design
A flowering shrub is quite self-sufficient as a single culture. It is not recommended to use a hybrid in group plantings, since it in itself has a high decorative effect. An exception may be a discreet juniper, cypress or thuja. Not bad Magnolia Soulangeana looks good against the background of ferns and hostas. Low-growing varieties of this variety are often planted in mobile flowerpots or bushes decorate driveways.
Reviews of gardeners
“Until recently, I thought that magnolia is an exclusively southern culture and it is impossible to grow this tree in our lane. My opinion changed dramatically after the landing of Soulangeana. The plant perfectly tolerates the local winters, and in the spring it pleases with abundant flowering. »
“Sulange’s seedling was brought from Sochi when he was there on a business trip. I was very worried that the plant would not tolerate the winter well, but my fears were in vain. The bush not only throws out buds every spring, but also never got sick for all the time that it grows on my site. »
“I have been growing magnolias for a very long time. There are no varieties in my dacha. My favorite is the hybrid Soulangeana. Very unpretentious fragrant tree with incredibly beautiful flowers. Her only requirement is to comply with the irrigation scheme and maintain soil acidity. »
Since the XNUMXth century, the southern beauty Soulange has been decorating gardens and household plots throughout Europe. It owes its popularity to abundant flowering, as well as low maintenance requirements. Thanks to these qualities, magnolia can be grown even by a novice gardener.