Magnolia soulangeana - Tulip Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia

Magnolia x soulangiana is the hybrid of Magnolia liliiflora and Magnolia denudata. The Saucer Magnolia is a small ornamental tree, often kept at a garden scale by regular pruning. Tulip Magnolia is sometimes called a Tulip Tree. There is another tree that also carries that Tulip Tree name, African Tulip Tree, Spathodea, and a second Liriodendron tulipfera causing some common name confusion. Magnolia soulangeana is a great small tree. And for the month that the Tulip Magnolia is in bloom it is extraordinary. The pink to white flowers of Magnolia soulangeana are 4 inches across or more. The Tulip Magnolia Tree can get to 25 feet or more but is much more manageable if kept under 10-15'. Shaping and controlling the shape of the tree requires trimming several times each year. The smell of the cut wood and leaves is intoxicating the flowers are also pleasantly fragrant. I find this tree to be a good pairing with a water feature. The reflection of the Magnolia soulangiana flowers off the water works well in any landscape. Magnolia soulangeana often repeat blooms lightly through the Summer and Fall. The magnolias are in one of the more primitive flowering plant families. I find the simplicity of the flower structure to be very sculptural. Information on some of the numerous cultivars and varieties are on our pages. Follow these links: Magnolia soulangiana Alexandrina, Magnolia soulangiana Brozzonii, Magnolia soulangiana Galaxy, Magnolia soulangiana Royal Crown.

Other plant pages from the genus Magnolia featured on this site:
Magnolia dianica
Magnolia liliiflora nigra
Magnolia soulangiana Alexandrina
Magnolia soulangiana Brozzonii
Magnolia soulangiana Galaxy
Magnolia soulangiana Royal Crown
Magnolia stellata
Magnolia stellata rosea