Saucer Magnolia
Magnolia is one of the oldest flowering plants, dating back 95 million years.
Saucer Magnolia is truly the queen of spring in the garden, offering an unforgettable spectacle each year before the leaves have even unfurled. Its large cup-shaped flowers range from pure white to deep lilac, blooming from April through May and filling the air with delicate fragrance. This hybrid, created by French breeders in the nineteenth century, combines the finest qualities of its parent forms, making it one of the world's most beloved magnolias.
The inner beauty of this plant is astonishing: the large petals are often bicoloured, with a lighter centre and darker, distinctly rosy or lilac edges. Numerous cultivars exist, from the classic 'Lenei' with richly pink flowers to the delicate white 'Alba Superba'. Each flower head can retain its beauty for a week or two, creating an extended, intermittent display of bloom. Even as the flowers fade, the emerging young leaves with their characteristic burgundy tints continue to delight the eye.
In the garden, Saucer Magnolia is a classic choice for spring composition. It harmonises beautifully with rhododendrons, ornamental cherry and conifers, creating layered planting schemes. The plant is undemanding in care, thrives in part shade and responds gratefully to good soil. The central and western regions of Ukraine are its natural home.
What makes Saucer Magnolia truly enchanting is its heritage. It descends from one of the most ancient genera of flowering plants, with a lineage stretching back approximately 95 million years. When you plant this tree, you invite into your garden a living witness to prehistoric times—and each spring bloom reminds us of nature's unchanging beauty across the ages.
Saucer Magnolia — planting & location
Flowers before leaves unfurl, an unforgettable spectacle
How to water Saucer Magnolia
Do not allow the soil to dry out
Fertilizing and pruning: Saucer Magnolia
Remove only dead and diseased branches—magnolia tolerates pruning poorly