Magnolia × loebneri
Magnolia × loebneri Kache[1] is a hybrid of two Magnolia species, the Japanese Magnolia kobus and M. stellata.[2] crossed by Garteninspektor Max Löbner of Pillnitz, Germany, shortly before World War I;[3] it first flowered in 1917.[4] The deciduous, elegant[5] and compact multi-stemmed small flowering tree or large shrub, slowly attaining a height of 20 ft (6.1 m) and somewhat wider at maturity, is hardy to USDA Zone 4.[6] 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 tepals with pale shell pink upper surfaces and darker pink-purple lower ones. Like most magnolias, it thrives best on acid soils.
Magnolia × loebneri | |
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Flowers of Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel' at Burcina Park, Biella, Italy | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Magnoliids |
Order: | Magnoliales |
Family: | Magnoliaceae |
Genus: | Magnolia |
Subgenus: | Magnolia subg. Yulania |
Section: | Magnolia sect. Yulania |
Subsection: | Magnolia subsect. Yulania |
Species: | M. × loebneri |
Binomial name | |
Magnolia × loebneri Kache | |
The selection, 'Leonard Messel' was a chance hybrid that was developed at Messel's garden in Sussex, Nymans. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] Also on the market are white 'Ballerina' and the late-flowering white 'Merrill' that extend the loebneri season.
Gallery
- Flower of Magnolia × loebneri
- Pink-flowered plant of Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel' at Burcina Park, Biella, Italy
- Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' flower detail
- Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' flower
- Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' immature fruit
References
- Kache designated the new hybrid in 1920, to honour Max Löbner.
- "In every way similar to M. stellata": Ben Blackburn, "A promising hybrid magnolia", New York Botanical Garden Journal (1951:43ff).
- Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (1983).
- Oregon State University: Magnolia × loebneri.
- "Elegant": Robin Lane Fox, Thoughtful Gardening (2010:92); "perhaps the finest of all the magnolias": Frances Tenenbaum, Taylor's 50 Best Trees(1999:65).
- It "has performed well in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, according to Melinda Myers, Minnesota Gardener's Guide, (2005:213).
- "Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel'". Royal Horticultural Society. 2017. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
External links
- Magnolia × loebneri images in the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Plant Image Database
- Gapinsky, Andrew. "A magnolia with an Arboretum pedigree." Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University website, 24 April 2014. Accessed 27 April 2020.