Magnolia soulangiana
Owner: St. Williams Nursery & Ecology Centre
Nominator: Forest Care
Height: 11.8 m (38.7 ft)
Diameter: 27.9 cm (11 in)
Circumference: 87.6 cm (34.5 in)
Description
The Saucer Magnolia is a hybrid between two Asian species, Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora. It was first produced in the early 19th century near Paris and is now a popular ornamental that is widely planted in front yards and parks across southern Canada and in most of the US, prized for its showy spring flowers. The flowers are large, saucer-shaped and appear individually at the end of the twigs before the leaves appear in April or early May. They consist of 6 petals and 3 similarly coloured sepals, flushed pinkish-purple on the outside, whitish inside and can be up to 15 cm wide. A large shrub or small tree, it often produces multiple stems as it matures to a height of 6-10 m. This magnolia tolerates partial shade but prefers full sun, and should be planted in a well-drained area. (Source: Focus on Forests )
Saucer Magnolia flowers
(Source: FlowerPictures.net )