Magnolia dawsoniana (Dawson's Magnolia)
Botanical Information
| Family | Magnoliaceae |
| Genus | Magnolia |
| Species | dawsoniana |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (deciduous) |
| Origin | Sichuan and Yunnan, China. Introduced by E. H. Wilson from China in 1910. It is named after Jackson T. Dawson, former superintendent of the Arnold Arboretum, Massachusetts, United States of America, in recognition of his skills in propagating many of the introductions from plant explorers of the time. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H3 - H4 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 20 - 30 |
| Temperature (°F) | -7 - (-1) |
| Height | 10 - 15 m |
| Spread | 5 - 10 m |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | March, April, May |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as endangered. |
| Shape | Wide and pyramidal. |
| Landscape | Great for small spaces and is easy to maintain. Beautiful accent plant or single specimen for maximum display purposes. Many different cultivars to choose from to suit your needs |
| Propagation | Use fresh seed when germinating. Seeds need a period of cool stratification and proper handling. If propagating from cuttings, collect after flower buds have formed in mid-spring. Grafted plants increase at the fastest rate. |
| Cultivation | Magnolias require fertile well-drained soil. Flowers are damaged by frost and or wind so plant under shelter in full/partial sun. Prune out dead limbs and shape in late summer. Mulch annually. |
| Pests | Rabbits will chew on the bark. |
| Notable Specimens | Trewidden Gardens, Cornwall, England. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Caerhays Castle, Gorran, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. |
| Habitat | Found at elevations of 2000-2300 m. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Fissured bark. |
| Leaf Description | Oval, thick and shiny dark green leaves with net like veining on both sides, 15 x 7 cm. |
| Flower Description | Fragrant white flowers with a rosy red hue. |
Photographs
Magnolia dawsoniana, form.
Magnolia dawsoniana. leaf.
Magnolia dawsoniana, flower. Caerhays Castle, Goran, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Magnolia dawsoniana, leaf. Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. 25/10/2019.
Magnolia dawsoniana, form.
Magnolia dawsoniana, bark.
Magnolia dawsoniana, leaf.
Magnolia dawsoniana, form. Caerhays Castle, Goran, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Magnolia dawsoniana, bark. Caerhays Castle, Goran, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Magnolia dawsoniana, form. National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Magnolia dawsoniana, bark.
Magnolia dawsoniana, leaf. National Trust Trelissick Garden, Feock, near Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom.