Botanical Name: Magnolia 'Susan'
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Common Name: Susan Magnolia  
Plant photo of: Magnolia 'Susan'
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Water Saving Tip:

Group plants in your garden according to their water needs (hydrozone).

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Purple, Red

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Yellow

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

‘Susan’ is a cross between M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea,' hybridized at the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s by Francis DeVos and William Kosar. Plants in this series flower about 2-4 weeks later than M. stellata and M. x soulangiana, thus reducing the risk of damage to flowers from late spring frosts. ‘Susan’ is primarily noted for its compact shrubby habit, fragrant fuchsia flowers and late bloom (mid-April to early May). It is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub or small tree that grows 8 to 12 feet tall and wide. Goblet-shaped flowers, each with 6 slightly twisted tepals, bloom shortly before the foliage begins to appear. Flowers (to 5” wide) are purple-red or fuchsia, with paler tones inside. Flowers may sporadically repeat bloom in mid summer. Large medium green leaves turn yellow-bronze in fall.