Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’

Regarded as one of the best yellow-flowered Magnolias, Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’ is an upright, conical to pyramidal, deciduous shrub or tree of breathtaking beauty when in full bloom. Masses of goblet-shaped, lemon-yellow flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), appear in late spring as the new leaves emerge. Held upright, each sunny bloom counts up to 6 tepals and may last up to 3 weeks. The foliage of elliptic green leaves turns golden-brown in fall.

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).

Introduced by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in 1981, ‘Yellow Bird’ is a hybrid Magnolia resulting from a cross between M. acuminata var. subcordata and M. x brooklynensis ‘Evamaria’.

• Grows up to 40 ft. tall (12 m) and 30 ft. wide (9 m)
• 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 bug, snails, horse chestnut scale, coral spot, 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