SAUCER MAGNOLIA
Native: China, cultivated in Japan
Family: magnoliaceae
The two parent species are the Yulan magnolia, which has white flowers, and the lily magnolia, which has purple flowers. A history of cultivation in China dates back to the Tang Dynasty.
Spread and Early Cultivars: The hybrid quickly spread to England, other parts of Europe, and North America. The cultivar 'Alexandrina', introduced in France in 1831, is one of the oldest and remains popular.
One of the first trees to bud and when they do it is with these pussy willow like buds that begins a fascinating developement to the flower.
The magnificant blooms enchant us all for a few weeks in the early Spring. The tree has a Japanese form that reminds us of its true beginning. The flowers will drop completely from the tree before the fresh green leaves emerge.
Leaves are all green. Although in the magnolia family it does not share the classic cinnamon velvety reverse side to the leaves
The goblet shape buds open into a more familiar classic magnolia flower shape.