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

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • 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

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

High, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

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.
Best grown in moist, organically rich, acidic, well-drained loams in full sun to part shade. Best sited in a location protected from high winds (minimize potential damage to leaves), but generally avoid southern exposures close to houses where the buds may be induced to open too early in spring. This is a late-blooming magnolia that is less apt to suffer frost damage in spring. Mulch root zone. Good air circulation may reduce onset of powdery mildew. Not a low-water plant, but when correctely sited, can thrive on weekly watering.