Saucer magnolia is a deciduous hybrid that blooms in late March through mid-April with fragrant flowers reaching 8 inches across, opening before the leaves emerge. This broad shrub or small tree typically rises to 20-25 feet tall with a rounded crown, maturing to 20-30 feet in both height and width, and thrives in hardiness zones 4-9. The 'Lennei' selection blooms somewhat later than the original hybrid, offering extended spring color and reduced risk of frost damage to its showy, perfumed flowers.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-9
300in H x 300in W
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High
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Early spring flowers up to 8 inches across fill the air with fragrance before a single leaf unfurls, creating one of the garden's most eagerly anticipated moments. The 'Lennei' cultivar blooms a bit later than standard saucer magnolias, meaning your flowers are less likely to be damaged by a late spring frost. This is the most commonly grown deciduous magnolia for good reason: it grows steadily to a substantial yet manageable size with a naturally rounded form that requires minimal shaping.
Saucer magnolia serves as an outstanding ornamental flowering tree for garden landscapes. Its combination of fragrant, showy flowers and attractive branching structure makes it valuable as a specimen tree that draws the eye in early spring and maintains visual interest throughout the year with its broad crown and fruit features.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Saucer magnolia can be grown as a single-trunked small tree or a multi-trunked shrubby form depending on your preference. Prune lightly after flowering concludes to shape the plant or remove any winter-damaged branches. Avoid heavy pruning, which can create visible wounds that are slow to heal; instead, selectively thin crossing or crowded branches to maintain the naturally rounded crown.
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“Saucer magnolia is a hybrid born from crossing Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora, two Asian species that were brought into cultivation centuries ago. The hybrid itself emerged in 19th-century France, where horticulturists recognized the value of combining these two parent species to create a plant with superior flowering characteristics. The 'Lennei' selection represents a refined choice from this hybrid lineage, selected for its later bloom time and slightly different flower character, offering gardeners a way to extend the magnolia season and reduce frost vulnerability.”