Yellow magnolias - special features & care requirements
Yellow magnolias are a rarity and their care requirements in the right location are low. One of their peculiarities is the good winter hardiness.
Botanical peculiarities of yellow magnolias
Like the tulip tree, yellow magnolias belong to the magnolia family and are rather rare in the home garden. They are mainly valued for their large, showy flowers. The yellow color is due to the so-called cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata).
Even if this type of magnolia is hardy, its flowers are endangered in frost, as they appear relatively early in the year. The most intense colors among the yellow magnolias are shown by the varieties 'Yellow Bird' and 'Butterflies'. The 'Elisabeth' variety with its fragrant, pale yellow flowers is popular with hobby gardeners.
| variety | sheet | blossom | Heyday | growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
'Yello Bird' |
matt, deep green, deciduous |
simple, slightly fragrant, goblet-shaped, canary yellow |
April to May |
upright, bushy, well branched Height 250-600 Spread 200-600 centimeters |
'Daphne' |
strong dark green, deciduous |
simple, abundantly fragrant, bright yellow |
Early April to early June |
tight upright, slow to medium pace Growth height 350-450 Spread 150-200 centimeters |
'Yellow River' |
green, deciduous |
tulip-shaped, light yellow, slightly fragrant |
April to May |
upright Height 400-500 Spread 250-350 centimeters |
'Maxine Merril' |
dark green, young leaves bronze-colored, deciduous |
simple, bowl-shaped, bright yellow, fragrant |
April to May |
upright Height 400-500 Spread 200-300 centimeters |
'Gold Star' |
fresh green, deciduous |
large, star-shaped, yellow-creamy white, fragrant |
before or with leaf shoots, from late April to early May |
as a tree Growth height up to 500 Spread 300 centimeters |
'Sunrise' |
sea green, deciduous |
simple, creamy yellow with pink stripes, slightly fragrant |
April to May |
bush-shaped, moderate Height 150-200 Spread 150-200 centimeters |
'Elisabeth' |
medium green, copper-colored when budding, deciduous |
simple, goblet-shaped, pale yellow, slightly fragrant |
before leaves shoot April to May |
as a large shrub or tree Growth height 500-800 Spread 400-700 centimeters |
'Butterflies' |
medium green, slightly shiny, slightly hairy, deciduous |
tulip-shaped, large-flowered, deep yellow |
April to May |
compact, conical and upright than medium-sized shrub Height 400-600 Spread 400 centimeters |
Correct choice of location, a guarantee for optimal growth
Choosing the right location is a prerequisite for good growth over many years. Since the magnolias grow large and expansive, they need a lot of space.
- Provide sheltered, sunny to partially shaded locations.
- Depending on the variety, pay attention to humus-rich, fresh to moist or acidic soil.
- Improve heavy clay soils with sand or deciduous humus.
- Plant the magnolia in March to May and in September and October.
- Maintain a planting distance of at least two meters.
Water depending on the weather and fertilize little
Many garden owners mean it too well, especially when it comes to watering and fertilizing. But they are doing their yellow magnolias no favors.
Maintenance measure |
Hints |
|---|---|
to water |
Water abundantly in the first few days after planting, the soil must be constantly moist. Water evenly and depending on the weather and not over leaves and flowers. Supply magnolias in the bucket with water more often, but avoid waterlogging. Mulch layer on the root area makes sense. |
Fertilize |
Nutrient requirement is moderate, only fertilize in case of obvious deficiency symptoms. As an alternative to nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer, work garden compost or rhododendron soil into the soil. |
Overwinter |
Older specimens are hardy, young plants need protection, they are a little more sensitive to frost. Cover the root area with bark mulch and leaves, wrap the trunk with fleece to protect it from the winter sun. Remove protection in spring when temperatures rise. |
Limit the cut to the bare minimum
Magnolias are generally compatible with cutting, but you should only cut the bare minimum. If the plant has become too wide, remove older branches, as these tend to be brittle. The best time to do this is from the end of July to mid-August and no more than every five to six years.
Magnolias usually bloom very early in the year, not the summer magnolia. …
If necessary, you can use the magnolia Thinning out without reducing the size of the crown, whereby you can remove sick and dead shoots at the same time. Cut away the branches at the roots without leaving any stumps. Then seal larger wounds with tree wax to prevent fungal infections.