Yulan Magnolia

Scientific Name: Magnolia denudata Desr.
Synonym: Magnolia heptapeta, Magnolia yulan
Family: Magnoliaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 2-9,14-24
USDA: 5b-10

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Origin: Eastern and southern China

Growth Habits: Deciduous tree with rounded or irregular shape, 30 to 40 feet tall and wide (9-12 m); dark green obovate leaves, 4 to 7 inches long (10-17.5 cm)

Flowers: White flowers

Watering Needs: Prefers moist soil, with good organic content, needs good drainage

Propagation: Seeds in spring, cuttings in summer under mist

Propagation: Cutting or occasionally seed, layering, grafting/budding

• by softwood stem tip cuttings, in summer. Apply IBA TALC 3000 PPM. Use intermittent mist. Root in 6-8 weeks.
• by layers.
• by grafts.
• by seeds, in spring. Germinates at 70-85 degrees F. The seeds can be harvested in autumn. The seeds need stratify 40F 4-5mo.. The usual germination temperature is 70-85 degrees F.

The specific epithet 'denudata' comes from the Latin for naked, referring to the flowers coming while the tree is leafless.

Blooming Habits:
Fragrant goblet-shaped upright white flowers, sometimes with red at the base of the petals, 3 to 4 inches long (7.5-10 cm), 5 to 7 inches in diameter (12.5-17.5 cm), opening in early spring, before the leaves. The early flowers often occur frost damage in the coldest portion of the range.

Fruiting Habits:
Green cone-like fruits, red when mature in late summer, containing red seeds.