Magnolia liliiflora seed
LATIN NAME: Magnolia liliiflora
COMMON NAME: Lily Magnolia, Mulan Magnolia, Purple Magnolia
The lily magnolia is one of the most beautiful of all spring-flowering shrubs, and its bloom is a highlight of the garden. It grows as a large, open shrub or small tree, usually three or four metres tall, with smooth, grey bark and handsome, oval leaves, and in early spring, before the leaves, it covers its bare branches with large, upright, lily-shaped flowers in shades of rich purple, rose and pink, often white inside, with a delicate fragrance. The flowers are among the most striking of any magnolia, and the shrub has been cultivated for centuries, its name appearing in the very title of the Chinese legend of Mulan. It is a plant of elegance and history.
The lily magnolia belongs to the magnolia family, Magnoliaceae, and it is native to southern China, though it has been cultivated for centuries in China and Japan. It is one of the most important parent species of many garden magnolia hybrids, and it is grown as an ornamental around the world.
Positive & Encouraging Seed Germination Guide
Growing a lily magnolia from seed is a slow but deeply rewarding project. The seeds sit inside the cone-like clusters of red fruits that follow the flowers, and they have a tough, waxy coat, so clean them thoroughly, soak them in warm water, and sow them in pots of free-draining compost in autumn, then leave them outdoors through winter, or chill them in the fridge for two to three months first. Germination can be slow, so be patient. Grow the 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. A lily magnolia you have raised from seed may take a few years to flower, but it will be worth the wait.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The lily magnolia has a distinguished place in both horticultural and botanical research. It is one of the most important parents of garden magnolia hybrids, and researchers and breeders have studied its cultivation, its flowering and its use in breeding for over a century, giving rise to some of the most famous magnolias in gardens. As a member of the magnolia family, one of the oldest families of flowering plants, it is also of great interest to botanists studying the evolution of flowering plants, and the family has a rich fossil history. The plant has also been studied in phytochemistry, since magnolias contain valuable bioactive compounds. For a shrub of such beauty and such botanical importance, the lily magnolia has a rich and distinguished record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Ecologically, the 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 is one of the most beloved spring-flowering shrubs in the world, grown in gardens and parks for its spectacular bloom, and it is a key parent of many famous magnolia hybrids, making it important in the nursery trade. For a grower, the lily magnolia is a plant of great beauty and value, and for a gardener it brings one of the finest spring displays in the garden.
Magnolias are shallow rooted plants and one of the surest ways to slow the growth process or even kill a new specimen is to plant it too deep. The root collar should be above the soil and the shoulders of the main roots at or just barely below the soil surface. Avoid disturbing the roots after planting. It is also drought tolerant provided the roots have had a chance to firmly anchor themselves. It should be planted in full sun if possible and protected from strong winds. You should not need to do much pruning for this species or for Magnolia trees and shrubs in general. If you find that some trimming is in order (i.e. you have wood that has become dead, damaged or diseased), you should make your cuts right after the shrub has finished blooming. Germination can take many months and some report up to a year, so patience is much needed but well worth the wait.