Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' (Black Lily Magnolia)

Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Speciesliliiflora
Cultivar'Nigra'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous), Shrub (deciduous)
OriginHorticultural origin. Introduced from Japan in 1861.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneAbove 6
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7 - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-26) - (-1)
Temperature (°F)(-15) - 30
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA large, narrow-pyramidal, deciduous single trunk tree with ascending branching.
ShapeAn upright open branched plant.
LandscapeThis dwarf Mangnolia makes a small specimen tree and an ideal focal point.
PropagationBy softwood cuttings in spring or early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and autumn.
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade. Late frosts may damage flower buds.
PestsPotential insects include horse chestnut scale, snails or capsid bug. Diseases include coral spot, grey mould, honey fungus, and leaf spot or iron deficiency and lime-induced chlorosis.
Notable SpecimensCaerhays Castle, Goran, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Bark/Stem DescriptionGreyish-brown bark with greenish-purple to purplish-brown twigs.
Leaf DescriptionDeep lustrous green leaves to 20 cm in length.
Flower DescriptionLarge, showy, erect, narrowly tulip-shaped, with oblong, dark reddish-purple tepals to 12 cm in length with pale insides. Fragrant flowers opening before the leaves, and sometimes followed by colourful cone-like fruit. Flowering from late spring, the shrub continues to flower intermittently through the summer.

Photographs