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Magnolia ‘Susan’

AGM Award
Magnolia 'Susan', Susan Magnolia, Pink magnolia, Winter flowers, Spring flowers, Pink flowers, fragrant trees, fragrant flowers, Purple Magnolia, Purple flowers
Magnolia 'Susan', Susan Magnolia, Pink magnolia, Winter flowers, Spring flowers, Pink flowers, fragrant trees, fragrant flowers, Purple Magnolia, Purple flowers

Perfect for small gardens, Magnolia ‘Susan’ is a slow-growing deciduous shrub or small tree with fragrant reddish-purple flowers in mid to late spring. Narrow goblet-shaped, the blossoms, up to 5 in. across (12 cm), count 6 slightly twisted tepals, purple-red on the outside and paler inside. While this Magnolia flowers primarily in spring, it may continue to bloom sporadically thereafter where moisture is adequate. The foliage of ovate, medium green leaves turns golden-yellow in fall. This hybrid Magnolia blooms at an early age and makes an elegant, small specimen tree.

‘Susan’ is a cross between Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’. It belongs to the Little Girl series (‘Ann‘, ‘Betty’, ‘Jane’, ‘Judy’, ‘Pinkie‘, ‘Randy’, ‘Ricki’, and ‘Susan‘) of hybrid Magnolias developed at the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s. Since these plants bloom about 2-4 weeks later than Magnolia stellata and Magnolia x soulangeana, they usually escape potential damage to their pretty flowers from late spring frosts.

  • Grows with a compact, upright habit up to 8-12 ft. tall and wide (2-4 m)
  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, slightly acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. 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 scale insects, coral spot, honey fungus, and phytophthora root rot.
  • 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 spring or early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and fall

Magnolia Tree: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for a magnolia tree like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of this striking tree

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
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
Plant Family Magnoliaceae
Genus Magnolia
Common names Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 8' - 12'
(240cm - 3.7m)
Spread 8' - 12'
(240cm - 3.7m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Magnolia sieboldii (Oyama Magnolia)
Magnolia tripetala (Umbrella Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Exmouth’ (Southern Magnolia)

Recommended Companion Plants

Pachysandra terminalis ‘Silver Edge’ (Japanese Spurge)
Cyclamen coum (Persian Violet)
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
Hyacinthoides hispanica ‘Excelsior’ (Spanish Bluebells)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Magnolia
37 Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy and Year-Round Interest
35 Best Flowering Trees for a Spectacular Garden Display
Small Trees, Big Impact: Maximize Your Garden’s Potential
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
Anise Magnolia (Magnolia salicifolia)
Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
Loebner Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri)
Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata)
Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)
Best Companion Plants for Camellias
Pretty Magnolia trees and Shrubs for Small Gardens
Favorite Yellow Magnolia Trees for Your Garden
Popular Types of Magnolia Shrubs and Trees
Magnolia Tree: How to Grow and Care with Success
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
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
Plant Family Magnoliaceae
Genus Magnolia
Common names Magnolia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 8' - 12'
(240cm - 3.7m)
Spread 8' - 12'
(240cm - 3.7m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Magnolia
Not sure which Magnolia to pick?
Compare Now

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