I first encountered Magnolia sieboldii in Joanna Reed's Malvern, PA garden in early May, 1997. My journal notes how beautiful the flower was but failed to describe their sublime citrus fragrance. This small tree or large shrub blooms sporadically throughout the summer and the bright orangish-red seeds produce a vibrant show well through September.
Last year, we had a late frost that damaged nearly all the leaves and flower buds so it had been two years since I enjoyed the show. As we sat at the dinner table last evening, a light breeze brought in wafts of sweet perfume. It was worth the wait.
I love the buds, like milky little bird's eggs hanging from the branches. And the scent, too, of course. Aren't you lucky.
ReplyDeleteYes, Liisa, I am lucky. I had no idea how much I would love this tree. It is supposed to be marginally hardy here but it has been quite happy in its protected spot. I love plants that have associations with gardening friends and mentors. It is a lovely reminder of Joanna and her garden each year when it flowers. Nice to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is beautiful!! as well as every garden you share here.
ReplyDeletehugs from Chile
Thanks so much, Maria Ceclia. I was at Stourhead in England a couple of weeks ago and they had several intriguing specimen trees from Chile. You must have some wonderful gardens there! Nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments in swedish on my latest post. I´m so impressed. Your swedish is better than my english.
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky man who can wait for the flowers of Magnolia, even if I wait a whole lifetime, I´ll would never have any Magnolia bulbs here to wait for. They can´t survive in my cold area.
So nice to hear from you, Hans. I am afraid my Swedish was helped by Google Translate. Sorry to hear you can't grow any magnolias. Have you ever tried the Star Magnolia, Magnolia kobus var. stellata? It is very hardy to Zone 4, I believe. I hope you are well after last week's storm.
ReplyDeleteI feel in lust for this plant ever since seeing a close up of the interior blossom in a Wayside catalog. Rather than do mail order, I looked to find some to carry at the garden center. After several years I was able to locate a couple. I do not know if it was the place I got them or something else, but when our summer came around they withered.
ReplyDeleteI would try to get Magnolia sieboldii again, Les. It is a really lovely tree worth the effort to find again and lust after it in person! I'll post it in fruit later in the season.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, This Magnolia is indeed beautiful, such wonderful Southern memories for me. Thanks for dropping by and you are right there is know better smell.
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