Magnificent Magnolias
Magnificent Magnolias.
The magnolias have been on the earth for more than 90 million years. While they were here with the dinosaurs, bees had not yet evolved so they were pollinated by beetles.
This is the reason the flowers were robust enough to withstand rough treatment by these ancient insects as the feed and looked for pollen. The flowers even close at night to trap any insects and ensure there is a good cross pollination.
Deciduous Magnolias are spectacular at the end of winter when the flowers appear before the leaves. This behavior is known as hysteranthous, and its purpose is thought to attract more insects for pollination. When you have no leaves the flowers stand out and make access to the flowers easy for the pollinating insects.
The other theory is that the buds have lower temp requirements, so they can emerge sooner than the leaves.
Either way, they are stunning and make the most spectacular specimen trees. They are highly symmetrical and come in a range of sizes and colours, although it is only the outside petals that are coloured, the inside ones are always white.
Magnolias are native to both East Asia and the Americas. In Asia, they are found primarily in China and Japan, while in the Americas, they are indigenous to the southeastern United States, Central America, and the West Indies.
The diverse distribution of magnolia species across continents illustrates their adaptability and evolutionary success.
If you want to get the best out of your tree here are a few hints:
Magnolias prefer slightly acidic soil.
They tolerate wet soil but hate drying out so make sure you give them extra water over a dry summer.
Mulch to retain the moisture and protect the roots.
Support the newly planted tree by staking, but remember to remove them after 18 months.
The Magnolia Tree bark is easily damaged, so avoid hitting the trees with the weed eater or lawnmower.
Pruning for shape should be done when the tree is young because Magnolias do not heal quickly and the trees’ health might be compromised if a large limb must be removed.
Ongoing maintenance should be just a light deadwood removal.
With so many varieties both evergreen and deciduous, there is bound to be a Magnolia for your space.