Magnolia liliiflora Seeds | Lily Magnolia
LATIN NAME: Magnolia liliiflora
COMMON NAME: Lily Magnolia, Mulan Magnolia, Purple Magnolia
Plant Profile
Magnolia liliiflora, commonly known as Lily Magnolia, is a large, open shrub in the magnolia family. Lily magnolia is one of the most beautiful of all spring-flowering shrubs, and its bloom is a highlight of the garden. Pollinating insects take to the flowers at once, adding a little wildlife interest to its garden value. All of this makes Lily Magnolia a satisfying plant to grow and to get to know.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Magnolia liliiflora, a representative of the magnolia family with clear practical value. As a member of magnolia family, one of oldest families of flowering plants, it is also of great interest to botanists studying evolution of flowering plants, and family has a rich fossil history. The practical point for growers is that this plant has been observed in gardens for so long that its behaviour holds few surprises.
Uses & Benefits
Lily Magnolia works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, lily magnolia is a generous shrub. Its early flowers feed bees and other pollinators when little else is in bloom, its fruits feed birds, and it gives shelter for wildlife in the garden. Its economic value lies mainly in ornamental horticulture. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Magnolia bark, Hou Po, is a major Chinese herb for moving qi, easing fullness and calming wheeze, and its honokiol and magnolol are among the most studied natural anxiolytic compounds, now appearing in modern supplements and even toothpaste.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Lily Magnolia, and the process is uncomplicated. Growing a lily magnolia from seed is a slow but deeply rewarding project. Grow young plants on in pots, giving them shelter and light shade, and plant them out in a sheltered, sunny, well-drained spot once they are strong. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Lily Magnolia repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Lily Magnolia: