We decorate the garden with exotic plants: planting and caring for Soulange's magnolia

Description and characteristics of Soulange magnolia

Magnolia Soulangeana was bred by the French originators by hybridizing two species: Liliiflora and Denudata. It is a tree-like deciduous plant of the Magnoliaceae family with a well-developed, branched, shallow root system. Erect strong shoots form a sprawling spherical or cone-shaped bush, 2-8 m high. The leaf plates are rounded-elongated, pointed at the ends, herbaceous-green color. The reverse side is matte, covered with fine nap.

The Soulange hybrid belongs to the early varieties that bloom in March-April. Inflorescences up to 20-25 cm in shape resemble an open bowl or glass. The color depends on the variety, but is limited to several palettes: white, pink, scarlet or purple. During flowering, magnolia emits a bright, rich aroma, which intensifies in the evening or during the rain.

Unlike its parent varieties, this cultivar is winter hardy down to -30 ° C. Thanks to this quality, Sulange's magnolia is successfully grown by gardeners of the Moscow region and even Siberia. Also, the southern beauty is immune to insect pests, fungal infections, and other pathogenic microorganisms.

Popular varieties with photos

For two hundred years, breeders have bred about two dozen hybrids based on Magnolia Soulangeana. All of them have adopted only the best qualities from the mother plant, and therefore are not inferior to him in popularity. We will present a description of the most famous varieties below.

Alexandrina

Treelike shrub about 6 m high and up to 4 m in diameter. Flowering occurs in May, the buds bloom evenly with foliage. Alexandrina inflorescences are large, 12-15 cm in size, odorless. The inner side of the petals is painted in a creamy white shade, the outer part is lilac-pink.

Alba Superba

A tall, but compact tree, growing up to 4 m. Platinum leafs are glossy, bright green in color. The buds are very large, delicate in color - snow-white, with a barely noticeable pinkish tinge at the base. Alba Superba blooms for only three weeks starting from the end of arel - early May until the leaves appear.

Amabilis

Luxurious fragrant shrub 3-4 m high. The petals of a uniform creamy white color are collected in the correct goblet shape. Amabalis blooms in the second half of spring, throwing out a huge number of small inflorescences with a diameter of about 8 cm. Flowering occurs simultaneously with the blooming of the foliage.

André Leroy

Medium-sized hybrid, growing no more than 4-5 m.Flowering occurs in mid-April and continues until leaves appear. The buds are elongated, bowl-shaped, 12-15 cm in size. The color is bicolor - snow-white on the inside and pink-lilac on the outside. The Andre Leroy variety is characterized by a delicate, delicate aroma.

Galaxy

A tall tree with a straight trunk and a tapered, tapered, regular crown. The cultivar blooms in May, first throwing out small inflorescences, and then the leaves. The color of the petals is pink-scarlet with a purple tint. Galaxy has a rich sweet aroma and long-lasting flowering.

Jenny

Compact, not too large magnolia, up to 3 m high and about one and a half meters in diameter. The buds open first, preceding the appearance of the foliage. The flowers are tulip-shaped, painted in the color of Burgundy wine with a purple tint, which gives the petals a velvety texture.

Linnaeus

A short, neat hybrid that grows up to two meters. Flowering occurs in May, coinciding with the blooming of the foliage. The inflorescences are large, consisting of convex, fleshy petals of bicolor colors: creamy white on the inside and dark, purple-pink on the outside.

The Linnaeus variety is characterized by slow growth and maximum frost resistance.

Princess of dreams

A medium-sized shrub, no more than 4-5 m high. Giant buds with a diameter of 25 cm open in April-May, forming cup-shaped or goblet-shaped inflorescences. The inner side of the petals is snow-white, the outer side is red-pink or purple with white strokes. The scent of the Princess of Dreams is subtle, unobtrusive.

Rustica Rubra

A tall cultivar that grows up to 7 m and has a lush spreading crown. The flowers are large, about 15 cm in size, resembling a glass in shape. The petals are fleshy, slightly convex. The outer color is pink with a scarlet tint, the inner one is creamy white. Rustica Rubra blooms in late April - early May.

Susan

A short hybrid reaches no more than 3 m. The crown is neat, conical in shape, which over time acquires a more rounded appearance. The buds are large, cupped, fleshy texture. The color is bicolor: snow-white inside and purple-pink outside. Susan has a subtle, delicate aroma.

Video "Growing magnolia in the open field"

In this video, experts tell you how to care for magnolia in unprotected soil.

Agrotechnics of growing magnolia Soulange

Abundant flowering, as well as the health of a winter-hardy hybrid, depends on proper planting and proper care throughout the season. Read on how to cultivate Magnolia Soulangeana.

Site and soil requirement

The cultivar cannot be transplanted often, and therefore the choice of the place must be approached responsibly. The hybrid loves good lighting, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Also, the plant grows poorly in low-lying areas with stagnant moisture. It is best to plant it where the groundwater level is not higher than 1.2 m.

Magnolia Soulange grows well in nutritious, drained soils with neutral or slightly overestimated acidity. The best option is loam or sandy loam soils with an appropriate pH level.

Drop off time

Young bushes are transplanted to a permanent place in April or October. According to some gardeners, it is best to plant in the fall. This is due to the fact that in the spring there is a risk of recurrent frosts, which can have a detrimental effect on the fragile root system of the plant.

Preparation of the landing pit and landing rules

Before planting a magnolia in open ground, you need to prepare a place in advance. To do this, dig holes twice the size of the seedling's earthen clod. The interval between the pits should be at least two meters.Expanded clay or broken brick is laid out at the bottom of the pits, and then partially filled with a substrate from garden soil, peat, humus and sand.

The landing algorithm is as follows:

• place the seedling in the hole, gently straightening the roots;
• placing the root collar at ground level, fill the hole with the finished soil mixture;
• a bucket of warm, settled water is poured under the bush;
• letting the soil absorb all the moisture, add the rest of the substrate.

Watering, loosening and mulching

Immediately after planting, experienced gardeners recommend laying sawdust or peat mulch on the near-trunk circle. This will allow the soil to retain moisture longer, and will also prevent the growth of weeds.

Water the magnolia regularly, preventing the topsoil from drying out. Usually, one watering every two days is enough for a plant, but in extreme heat, the procedure can be carried out daily. Also in summer, leaf irrigation is allowed. Do it in the morning or after sunset.

Loosening of the soil under the cultivar is carried out immediately after watering, trying not to touch the roots located close to the surface. Then the sprouted weeds are removed.

Top dressing and fertilizers

Magnolia is fertilized only in the third year after planting. This is done annually, twice a season:

• before the start of the growing season;
• in the first half of summer (until mid-July).

Top dressing is carried out with special mineral complexes such as "Kemira" or Agrecol. Preparations are embedded in the ground or simply scattered around the trunk circle.

Pruning methods

One of the advantages of the Soulangeana cultivar is that there is no need for crown formation. In early spring, before the juices begin to move, they carry out sanitary pruning. During the procedure, frozen, dry or damaged branches are removed, as well as shoots growing inside the bush.

Preparing for the winter season

An adult Sulange is able to withstand severe frosts without additional shelter. Only young bushes up to three years old need protection. Preparation for the dormant period begins with the cessation of watering. Further, the land around the plant is mulched with peat or dry needles. Spruce branches are thrown on top of the magnolia, and then covered with spandbond.

Pest and disease control

The southern beauty Magnolia Soulangeana rarely gets sick. Problems can arise from alkalization of the soil or non-compliance with the irrigation scheme. With chlorosis, when the foliage begins to become covered with yellow spots, it is enough to add lime to the soil to restore the desired acidity.

Spider mites often appear on the bush. To get rid of pests, insecticides such as "Aktara" or "Actellik" are used. Sometimes the plant is attacked by rodents. Ultrasonic repellents will help to cope with pests.

Culture propagation methods

The Soulange hybrid reproduces in the same way as other flowering shrubs. Most often, gardeners use the grafting method:

• shoots are cut from biennial plants, and then treated with "Kornevin";
• the stalk is placed in a substrate of peat and sand;
• moisturize the surface well;
• arrange a greenhouse, maintaining a temperature of + 23-25 ​​° C and a humidity of 50-55%;
• after a couple of months, the rooted shoots are seated in separate containers;
• young animals are planted in a permanent place in the third year after planting.

A more difficult way to reproduce magnolias is by seeds. Planting material is sown in the fall, after stratification is carried out in advance. The containers are covered with foil and placed in a cool place. In the spring, when the first shoots hatch, the polyethylene is removed, and the shoots are grown for another three years.

The use of Soulange's magnolia in landscaping

A flowering shrub is completely self-sufficient, as a solitary culture. It is not recommended to use a hybrid in group plantings, since it itself has a high decorative effect. Discreet juniper, cypress or thuja can be an exception. Magnolia Soulangeana looks good against the background of ferns and hosts. Low-growing varieties of this variety are often planted in mobile flowerpots or decorate driveways with bushes.

Gardeners reviews

Since the 19th century, the southern beauty Soulange has been decorating garden and backyard plots throughout Europe. It owes its popularity to its abundant flowering and low maintenance requirements. Thanks to these qualities, even a novice gardener can grow a magnolia.