Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’

Regarded as one of the best yellow-flowered Magnolias, award-winning Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ is a deciduous pyramidal tree of breathtaking beauty when in full bloom. Masses of large, cup-shaped, primrose yellow flowers, 8 in. across (20 cm), appear in early to mid-spring at the twig tips as the new leaves begin to unfurl. Slightly fragrant, the large blooms may last up to 4 weeks. They gradually fade to cream as they age. Emerging bronze, the large, glossy, oval leaves mature dark green before turning golden-yellow in fall. As the leaves fall, the smooth gray bark and furry buds are revealed, adding interest to the winter landscape.

Magnolia belongs to the Magnoliaceae family, which includes several popular species such as the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata), Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana), and Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana).

‘Elizabeth’ is a hybrid Magnolia resulting from a cross between the cucumber tree (M. acuminata) and Yulan magnolia (M. denudata). Introduced by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 1978, this is one of the first yellow Magnolias to hit the horticultural market. This Magnolia makes a wonderful specimen or multi-stemmed tree and becomes one of the glories of the spring garden. While very hardy, its blooms, like those of most early blooming Magnolias, are susceptible to late frosts.

• Grows with an upright, columnar habit up to 20-30 ft. tall (6-9 m) and 12-20 ft. wide (3-6 m)
• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and recipient of a Gold Medal from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
• 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 buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds. 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 early 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