‘Leonard Messel’ Star Magnolia
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Flowering Large Shrub or Small Tree
Height at Maturity: 15-20′
Width at Maturity: 10-15′
Spacing: 20’+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded
Flower Color: Pinkish Purple on outside and White on inside
Flower Size: Large, 8″ diameter with 15 petals
Flowering Period: Mid-Spring
Flower Type: Single
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Foliage Color: Green to Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insect
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs: Average, Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist
Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Drought, Insects, Disease
Description
Remarkably beautiful in bloom, the ‘Leonard Messel’ Magnolia is cross between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’ that produces LOADS of purple buds that open to fragrant, 15-petaled, two-toned flowers with purplish-pink outsides and white on the inside. The transition of color from bud to bloom is a beautiful study in color. This hybrid starts blooming at a very early age so no waiting years for flowers. Blooming 2 to 4 weeks later than other deciduous magnolias, the flowers of Leonard Messel are less susceptible to damage from late frosts. The large, elongated leaves are dark green with a somewhat leathery appearance that contrasts nicely with other landscape plants which have a finer foliage.
Leonard Messel Magnolia is a winner of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing upright with a rounded form to 15 to maybe 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, the Leonard Messel Magnolia is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny landscape and woodland borders or to frame corners or against a large open wall in home foundation plantings. As he grows taller lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree excellent for use as a focal point specimen in the landscape. Can also be grown in large pots, planters and containers of 18 inches or more in rim diameter. A fine addition to purple theme gardens, fragrance gardens, cut flower gardens, or the cottage garden.
Growing Preferences
Leonard Messel Magnolia is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained acidic soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. He prefers full sun for best flowering, however will handle some partial shade. In the South, some shade during the hottest mid-afternoon certainly own’t hurt. Avoid constantly soggy or wet soils. In alkaline soils, apply soil sulfur and/or chelated iron to increase acidity. Pruning usually isn’t necessary, however stray or damaged branches can be pruned immediately after flowering in spring. Feed after flowering in spring with a mild organic plant food or a well-balanced shrub and tree food containing iron or sulfur.
Helpful Articles
Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Ann Magnolia tree.
How To Plant & Care For Tulip & Star Magnolias
Plant Long & Prosper!
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