Magnolia × loebneri
Encyclopedia
Magnolia × loebneri is a hybrid of two Magnolia
species, the Japanese Magnolia kobus
and M. stellata. crossed by Garteninspektor Max Löbner of Pillnitz, Germany, shortly before World War l; it first flowered in 1917. The deciduous, elegant and compact multi-stemmed small flowering tree or large shrub
, slowly attaining a height of 20 feet and somewhat wider at maturity, is hardy to USDA Zone 4. Its fragrant late flowers, following its stellata parent by a couple of weeks, escape unexpected late spring frosts, but appear on the bare branches, to great effect. The deep pink buds open in informal strap-like tepal
s with pale shell pink upper surfaces and darker pink-purple lower ones. Like most magnolias, it thrives best on acid soils.
The selection, 'Leonard Messel' was a chance hybrid that was developed at Messel's garden in Sussex
, Nymans
. Also on the market are white 'Ballerina' and the late-flowering white 'Merrill' that extend the loebneri season.
Magnolia
Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol....
species, the Japanese Magnolia kobus
Magnolia kobus
Magnolia kobus, known as the Kobushi Magnolia, is a species of Magnolia native to Japan and occasionally cultivated in temperate areas...
and M. stellata. crossed by Garteninspektor Max Löbner of Pillnitz, Germany, shortly before World War l; it first flowered in 1917. The deciduous, elegant and compact multi-stemmed small flowering tree or large shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
, slowly attaining a height of 20 feet and somewhat wider at maturity, is hardy to USDA Zone 4. Its fragrant late flowers, following its stellata parent by a couple of weeks, escape unexpected late spring frosts, but appear on the bare branches, to great effect. The deep pink buds open in informal strap-like tepal
Tepal
Tepals are elements of the perianth, or outer part of a flower, which include the petals or sepals. The term tepal is more often applied specifically when all segments of the perianth are of similar shape and color, or undifferentiated, which is called perigone...
s with pale shell pink upper surfaces and darker pink-purple lower ones. Like most magnolias, it thrives best on acid soils.
The selection, 'Leonard Messel' was a chance hybrid that was developed at Messel's garden in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, Nymans
Nymans
Nymans, Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, is an English garden developed by three generations of the Messel family, from the late 19th century, and brought to renown by Col. Leonard C.R. Messel...
. Also on the market are white 'Ballerina' and the late-flowering white 'Merrill' that extend the loebneri season.