April 2025: Saucer Magnolia

By Greg Doyle, Andy Mead, and Tyson Gregory​

Saucer magnolia flowers.

April’s featured tree is the Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana), sometimes called Tulip Magnolia, located on Fontaine Road near the corner of High Street. This popular hybrid results from the breeding efforts of the renowned French horticulturist Étienne Soulange-Bodin, who announced his success with the plant in 1826. The parent species, the Lily Magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora) and the Yulan Magnolia (M. denudata), are native to China and have a long history of cultivation in the region. News of this new hybrid quickly garnered international attention within horticultural societies, establishing it as a foundational plant in the industry for years to come. Now more than 50 cultivars are available on the market and

more efforts are being made to further improve its suitability for use in urban areas.

Leaves of saucer magnolia.

The Saucer Magnolia is well-known for its prominent floral display in early spring, typically around mid to late March in our area. The blossoms range from 4 to 8 inches in length, exhibiting a tulip-like shape upon opening and colors that vary from soft pink to lavender-purple. It's worth noting that this early bloom time in our region often makes the flowers susceptible to damage from late freezes or frosts, as was observed with many magnolias this past March. Unfortunately, there's usually little that can be done to prevent this, leaving us to hope for milder weather in subsequent years.

After the flowering period, simple, oblong leaves appear, averaging 4 to 6 inches in length. The upper surface of the leaf is green, while the underside is typically a pale greenish-white and covered with fine, soft hairs. These leaves generally show good resistance to pests and diseases but may experience aesthetic decline during drought conditions or in locations exposed to hot, drying summer winds.

Full form of saucer magnolia in bloom.

Saucer Magnolias often exhibit a shrubby growth habit, featuring multiple trunks and low branches. This characteristic can make them less suitable for formal settings or areas with limited space requiring significant pruning to develop a form conducive to the space. The bark is fairly smooth and pale grey, similar to that of Beech or Yellowwood trees. This tree thrives in full sun with well-drained, acidic soils and typically reaches a mature height of 25 to 30 feet with a roughly equal spread. For optimal growth and health, it's best to avoid planting in challenging conditions such as heavy, compacted, or overly alkaline (pH > 7.5) soils, as well as consistently wet areas or locations with significant reflected heat.

Multi-stemmed trunk of a mature saucer magnolia. All photos by Greg Doyle.

The Saucer Magnolia is a widely available tree that can be a lovely addition to landscapes in the Bluegrass region, provided the appropriate growing conditions are present. It's important to be aware that our changing climate, characterized by warmer and drier conditions, is contributing to an increase in Magnolia Scale, a pest that can be quite damaging and a nuisance if not managed.