Magnolia liliiflora (Mulan Magnolia, Purple Magnolia, Red Magnolia, Woody Orchid)


Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Speciesliliiflora
SynonymsYulania liliiflora
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginHubei and Yunnan, China.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7 - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-26) - (-1)
Temperature (°F)(-15) - 30
Height4 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMarch, April, May

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as data deficient however, is listed as vulnerable on the Chinese Red List (2014).
ShapeOpen habit.
LandscapeNeutral to acidic, moderately rich soil, in full sun.
PropagationSow seeds in a cold frame, germination takes place in the following spring, however can take up to 18 months. Prick seedlings and place into individual pots, grow in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for a minimum of their first winter. Once 15 cm tall, plant into their permanent positions.
HabitatAlong forest edges and slopes at an altitude of 300-1,600 m.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGreyish-brown bark with greenish-purple to purplish-brown twigs.
Leaf DescriptionLarge, elliptic-obovate to obovate leaves, with 8-10 secondary veins on either side of the mid vein and a gradually narrowing base, 8-18 x 3-10 cm.
Flower DescriptionBeautifully large vase-shaped, erect flowers with 9-12 tepals, pink to reddish-purple outside the petal with a white to pink veined inside, 8 cm in diameter.
Fruit DescriptionCylindric, dark purplish-brown, 7-10 cm, produced August through September. Seeds ripen from September through November.

Photographs