Zen Magnolia
Magnolia Zenii
Type: Deciduous Tree
Exposure: Sun /Part Shade
Water: Regular

With flowers blooming as early as late February or early March, this is the earliest blooming of all the Magnolias. The bare branches are decorated with handsome, upright buds that are white-streaked-with-pink and can reach 4in (10cm) long. These open to reveal graceful, fragrant blooms, which in turn are followed by handsome dark green leaves. Over time, it matures to a stately pyramidal tree, reaching 30ft (9m) high by 20ft (6m) wide. While they’re supposed to prefer full sun, the one in the photos from the Gardens at HCP here in Victoria is clearly pretty happy with its home under the high canopy of some Douglas Firs.

Zen Magnolias, which are native to Jiangsu, China, are on the IUCN critically endangered list. Hopefully they’ll make a comeback. Fingers crossed.

Cheers,

John