Plant Encyclopedia

Description:

A small tree valued for its huge, showy white flowers in late spring, rosy pink cucumber-shaped fruit in fall and absolutely enormous leaves; a real attention-grabber, use where an almost tropical coarseness is desired in the landscape

Ornamental Features

Umbrella Magnolia features bold fragrant creamy white cup-shaped flowers held atop the branches in late spring. The fruits are showy red pods carried in abundance from early to mid fall. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The enormous pointy leaves turn yellow in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Umbrella Magnolia is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its strikingly bold and coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced landscape composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Umbrella Magnolia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Umbrella Magnolia will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree performs well in both full sun and full shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.