Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)

Saucer Magnolia, Tulip Magnolia

Saucer magnolia is one of the most popular magnolias in cultivation due to its stunning floral display.

What is Saucer Magnolia?

Magnolia x soulangeana, commonly known as saucer magnolia, is a hybrid magnolia resulting from a cross between Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora. It was created in the early 19th century by French plantsman Étienne Soulange-Bodin.

Habit and Size: This deciduous tree or large shrub features an upright habit when young but gradually develops a rounded, more spreading shape as it matures, typically growing to a height of 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 meters), with a similar spread. Its branches form a pyramidal outline, but they can spread broadly and horizontally with age. It is often grown as a multi-trunked shrub.
Flowers: The most striking feature of the saucer magnolia is its flowers. It bears large, goblet-shaped flowers up to 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. The flowers are typically pink or purplish-pink on the outside and white on the inside, and they have a light, pleasant fragrance. They gracefully open their large tepals as they mature, revealing white interiors. This creates a bicolor effect which further adds to the beauty of the floral display.
Blooming Season: It blooms profusely in early to mid-spring.
Foliage: The blooms appear on naked branches before the obovate mid-green leaves unfurl. The foliage turns golden brown in fall before shedding to the ground and outlining the smooth silvery bark.
Hardiness: Magnolia x soulangeana is winter hardy in USDA zones 5-9, but it can suffer from late frosts that damage the flowers. This magnolia prefers evenly moist, well-drained, acidic soils.
Uses: It has multiple uses in the landscape, including as a specimen or accent tree due to its outstanding floral display. It creates an impressive scene in the garden and is an excellent selection as a container plant and espalier.
Pollinators: Magnolias are pollinated by insects, with beetles and flies as the main pollinators.
Deer and Rabbit: Saucer magnolia is mildly resistant to damage by deer and can suffer from rabbit damage, particularly on younger trees

Why Should I Grow a Saucer Magnolia Tree?

Growing a Saucer Magnolia in your garden can bring numerous benefits and aesthetic appeal:

Stunning Flowers: Saucer Magnolia is renowned for its large, saucer-shaped flowers that bloom in early to mid-spring. These blossoms provide an excellent early-spring floral display when many other plants have yet to bloom.
Seasonal Interest: Even when not in bloom, the tree’s dark green foliage provides a pleasant backdrop for other plants, and the fall leaf color adds another season of interest.
Moderate Size: With a typical height and spread of 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 meters), Saucer Magnolia can fit well into many landscape situations, including smaller yards. It can be used as a single specimen or in groups to create a small woodland garden.
Hardiness: Saucer Magnolia is tolerant of urban conditions and is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it a good choice for a wide range of climates.
Low Maintenance: Apart from protecting it from late frosts, which can damage the blooms, Saucer Magnolia requires relatively low maintenance.

Overall, the Saucer Magnolia is a beautiful, hardy tree that can add considerable charm and color to your garden, particularly in early spring when little else is blooming.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 9
Heat Zones	7 - 9
Climate Zones	2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type	Shrubs, Trees
Genus	Magnolia
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid)
Height	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)
Spread	15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Beautiful Saucer Magnolias

Hardiness	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Mid) Fall
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

Hardiness	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid) Fall
Height	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)
Spread	15' - 20' (4.6m - 6.1m)

Garden Design with Saucer Magnolia

Designing a garden with a Saucer Magnolia can bring a focal point and an element of grandeur due to the tree’s beautiful blossoms and architectural shape. Here are some ideas to incorporate it into your garden design:

Specimen Tree: Due to its size and the dramatic display of flowers, Saucer Magnolia makes a great specimen tree. Plant it in a prominent place where its spring bloom can be enjoyed.
Border Tree: You can also plant it at the edge of a border, where it can provide a backdrop for other perennials and shrubs. The dark green leaves will highlight the colors of the surrounding plants.
Mixed with other Magnolias: If space allows, consider a Magnolia grove combining Saucer Magnolia with other types such as Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) or Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) for a long-lasting sequence of bloom.
Container Planting: Smaller specimens can be grown in large containers, making them suitable for patios and smaller gardens.

The tree can take a few years to establish and bloom profusely, but the wait is well worth it.

Companion Plants

Companion planting can be a great way to enhance your Saucer Magnolia. You’ll want to choose plants that complement the magnolia’s spring blooms and fill in the garden during the magnolia’s non-blooming seasons. Here are a few suggestions:

Spring-Flowering Bulbs: Daffodils, Tulips, Crocuses, and Hyacinths bloom around the same time as the magnolia, creating a vibrant spring display.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons: These shrubs provide a burst of color in late spring, once the magnolia has finished blooming, and they also appreciate similar acidic soil conditions.
Ferns: Ferns are an excellent choice for underplanting, as they add textural interest and thrive in the same partially shaded conditions that magnolias prefer.
Hostas: Hostas are another excellent choice for underplanting. They thrive in shade, and their large, bold foliage contrasts nicely with the magnolia’s more delicate leaves.
Astilbes: Astilbe can fill in the understory of your magnolia with feathery, colourful plumes in the summer.
Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas offer large, summer-blooming flowers that will provide color after the magnolia’s spring bloom period.
Boxwood (Buxus spp.): Boxwood shrubs can provide evergreen structure in the garden, offering a visual anchor during the winter months when the magnolia is leafless.
Heuchera: Also known as coral bells, these perennials have vibrant foliage that can complement the blooms of the magnolia and provide color throughout the growing season.

Remember that while these plants are great companions to Saucer Magnolia, they should all have similar light and soil requirements to thrive together in the same area. Always consider the specific needs of each plant when planning your garden.

Companion Plants for Saucer Magnolia

Narcissi (Daffodils)

Tulips

Hyacinthus orientalis (Dutch Hyacinth)

Astilbe

Hosta (Plantain Lily)

Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)

Azalea and Rhododendron

Crocus vernus (Dutch Crocus)

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Growing Tips

Growing a Saucer Magnolia can be a rewarding experience as they’re known for their stunning early spring blooms. Here are some tips to help you grow a healthy and beautiful Saucer Magnolia:

Location: Choose a location in your garden that gets full sun to partial shade. They can tolerate a bit of shade, but they’ll bloom best in a spot with at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
Soil: Saucer Magnolias prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. They can tolerate clay, loamy, or sandy soil as long as it’s well-drained. They also prefer slightly acidic soil, so you might need to amend your soil with sulfur or peat moss to lower the pH if necessary.
Planting: Dig a hole that’s two to three times wider than the root ball of your magnolia and just as deep. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill with the original soil, firming it gently around the root ball.
Watering: Water the tree thoroughly after planting, and keep the soil evenly moist (but not waterlogged) during the first growing season. Once established, magnolias can tolerate short periods of drought, but they’ll do best with regular watering.
Fertilizing: Saucer Magnolias don’t usually require heavy feeding. However, if your soil is poor, you might want to apply a slow-release, granular fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants in the spring.
Pruning: Prune your Saucer Magnolia in mid-summer to early fall, if necessary. This is after the blooms have faded but before next year’s buds set. Pruning later in the fall or winter may remove the buds for next spring’s flowers.
Pests and Diseases: Watch for Aphids, Mealybugs, Scale insects and magnolia borer. Powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, and fungal leaf spots can also be issues. If you notice any of these, treat with an appropriate pesticide, fungicide, or with beneficial insects.

Remember, it may take a few years before you see substantial blooming on your Saucer Magnolia. Patience is key when growing these lovely trees.

sjallen / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.