Magnolia ‘Butterflies’

Regarded as one of the earliest and finest yellow-flowered Magnolias, Magnolia ‘Butterflies’ is an upright, pyramidal, deciduous shrub or tree of breathtaking beauty in full bloom. Masses of tulip-shaped, rich canary yellow flowers, 4-5 in. across (10-13 cm), appear in mid-spring before the new leaves unfurl. Held upright, each sunny bloom is adorned with red stamens and counts up to 10-16 tepals. Rich with a lemon fragrance, the flowers bloom profusely, smothering the naked branches for about 7-9 days. After the tepals have fallen, the foliage of oblong-elliptic, dark green leaves emerges and remains attractive throughout the growing season. Thriving in both the cold and the heat, ‘Butterflies’ may be cultivated as a small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. In all scenarios, it will add outstanding interest to the spring landscape, in your flower beds, as a border plant, or as a flowering tree or hedge.

‘Butterflies’ is a hybrid Magnolia resulting from a cross between M. acuminata and M. denudata.

• Grows with an upright, pyramidal habit up to 25-30 ft. tall (7-9 m) and 10-15 ft. wide (3-5 m)
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, slightly acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. Neutral to slightly alkaline soils are also suitable for growth. Magnolias are adaptable to clay, loam, or sandy soils, but most grow poorly in wet or poorly drained soils. Provide a site sheltered from cold, dry winds, as cold winds may damage buds and flowers. Late frosts may damage flower buds too.
• May be attacked by capsid bugs, snails, horse chestnut scales, coral spots, gray mold, and honey fungus.
• Spectacular as a specimen plant for dramatic spring blooms. Great flowering tree for city gardens or cottage gardens.
• Magnolia pruning should be carried out in midsummer when in full leaf
• Deciduous Magnolias are best planted when dormant, in late fall or winter in warmer climates and early spring in cold climates. Evergreen magnolias are best planted in early spring. For the first 6 to 12 months after planting, both types will benefit from mulch and regular irrigation during warm or dry weather.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer