• Home
  • Photos
  • What's On
  • Blogs
    • Gardeners World
    • Esmé's Page
    • Building our Community
    • Recipe of the Month
    • Frenchay Residents
    • Frenchay Place Names
    • Frenchay Mysteries
  • Local News
    • Neighbourhood Watch
    • FRA/Redrow Reports
    • Local Representatives >
      • From our Parish Councillors
      • From our South Gloucestershire Councillors
    • Frenchay Museum
    • Preservation Society
    • Frenchay CE Primary School
    • Frenchay Village Hall
    • Cricket Club
    • Dings Crusaders RFC
    • DRG Frenchay Football Club
  • Clubs & Societies
  • Information
    • Quick Links
    • Transport >
      • First Bus Christmas & New Year servicesLink Page
    • Libraries
    • Nature Reserve
    • RUG Reports (archived) >
      • RUG Newsletters (archived)
      • RUG Correspondence with SGC (archived)
      • RUG Dossier on the OPA - Dec 2013 (archived)
      • Reports on Lime Tree Avenue (archived)
      • RUG Consultation on Community Facilities (archived)
      • Our Frenchay - 2013 (achived)
      • Video 'History of Frenchay Hospital'
      • Hospital Site - Frenchay Residents Liaison Group
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
Frenchay Community, UK

The Magnificent Magnolia

1/3/2016

0 Comments

 
The joy of gardening is often in the anticipation of things to come, especially on a wet, windy March day.

I am sure you agree one of the most anticipated plants is the magnolia tree. Its huge, felted buds burst open in late April and early May. In this strange winter weather my magnolia stelatta  is showing signs of white buds in early February!

Some magnolias grow to impressive proportions, the largest can reach 20 metres tall, but there are some wonderful smaller varieties, e.g. magnolia stelatta (3m), magnolia liliflora nigra (3m), magnolia soulangea known as the tulip magnolia (6m). There are lots more to find and read about.

The first magnolia to be grown in the UK came from America in the 17th century. The British missionary and botanist, John Bannister, was sent to Virginia by a plant loving bishop, Henry Compton. Compton was delighted when Bannister in 1688 returned with a magnolia virginiana that was planted in the bishop's garden at London's Fulham Palace.

Some of the intrepid plant hunters who brought these beautiful plants to the UK include Joseph Banks with Captain Cook in 1780, George Forrest and Ernest Henry Wilson in the 19th century.

Despite their exotic looks and origins, they are easy to grow. Their only weakness is their susceptibility to a late, sharp frost damaging the beautiful blooms. Avoid planting in east facing sites that get early morning sun and in frost pockets. The soil should be well drained but moisture retentive. It is best to buy a small young plant as it will establish quicker and more easily. They are easy to maintain. Mulch with leaf mould or manure in spring.

Pruning is not necessary, but if you have to, do prune in mid-summer so that the wounds will not bleed. Trying to keep it small by pruning is not possible. The more you prune the more it will grow. Buy a variety that will suit the space. The best time to buy is when they are in flower. Choose the variety, size and place in garden with care and it will reward you with beautiful blooms for years to come.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.