Garden Alphabet: Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia/Tulip Tree)

Magnolia x soulangeana aka Tulip Tree or Saucer Magnolia is very popular here in the San Fernando Valley. I find myself passing these small trees almost everywhere I drive these days. Perhaps I am noticing them more, too, as this is the time of year when they call seem to bloom together. It is a one-a-year show, though, with the trees returning to leafy green for the majority of the year. Still, their dramatic flowering does make quite a statement each spring and makes the small tree very worth it.

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Magnolia × soulangeana (saucer magnolia) is a hybrid plant in the genus Magnolia and family Magnoliaceae. It is a deciduous tree with large, early-blooming flowers in various shades of white, pink, and purple. It is one of the most commonly used magnolias in horticulture, being widely planted in the British Isles, especially in the south of England; and in the United States, especially the east and west coasts.[2]– Wikipedia.org

More information on the Saucer Magnolia:

Garden History: Wisteria blooms in Davis Garden (Locust Valley, New York), 1930

Garden History draws on “The Commons” a collection of historical photos from institutions from around the world. According to Flickr:

The Commons was launched on January 16 2008, when Flickr released our pilot project in partnership with The Library of Congress. Both Flickr and the Library were overwhelmed by the positive response to the project! Thank you!

The program has two main objectives:

  1. To increase access to publicly-held photography collections, and
  2. To provide a way for the general public to contribute information and knowledge. (Then watch what happens when they do!)

Oh, if only my wisteria would bloom like this lovely specimen from 1930. I love how nicely it is maintained and pruned, too. Mine tends to twist and turn and ramble and flop.

We removed some tress along the south property line of the grade, so my wisteria should get a bit more sun this year. We’ll see what happens in coming years. It has only really bloomed once or twice in the 16 years we have lived here, though. That said, it is looks nice draped over our pergola.

Davis Garden [slide]

Davis Garden [slide]

Creator: Davis, John W., Mrs
       North Country Garden Club

Type: Projected media

Date: 1930

Topic: Spring
     Garden houses
     Espaliers
     Wisteria
     Columns
     Arches
     Walkways, flagstone
     Walls, brick
     Barrels
     Flowering trees

Local number: NY096001

Physical description: 1 slide: glass lantern, col.; 3 x 5 in

Place: Davis Garden (Locust Valley, New York)

Persistent URL:http://siris-archives.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=all&source=~!siarchives&uri=full=3100001~!183348~!0#focus

Repository:Archives of American Gardens

View more collections from the Smithsonian Institution.


Previously in Garden History: