Magnolias

by Barrett, Rosemary; Hughes, Derek

• ISBN13: 9781552975565
• ISBN10: 1552975568
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-03-01
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

Magnolias hold a special space in the hearts of North American gardeners, particularly those in the South where spring is heralded by the arrival of the magnolia blooms. "The Queen of Flowers" is also the favorite of author Rosemary Barrett, whose garden features dozens of magnolia trees. She shares her expertise and passion for magnolias, offering readers practical and enthusiastic guidance on growing these extraordinary trees.Surprisingly, in contrast to their sophisticated beauty, magnolias are easy to grow. This guide for hands-on gardeners is full of useful advice and ideas, including: the history of magnolias cultivation and propagation landscaping with magnolias in small and large gardens Soulangeana hybrids companion planting the best whites, pinks, reds and purples, yellows and others rare and special magnolias magnolia relatives, michelias and liriodendrons over 95 beautiful full color photographsMagnolias includes traditional species and newer varieties, magnolias that flower quickly and those that take some time to bloom, magnolias for any size garden, perfumed magnolias, and many related plants. Wonderful photographs, nursery sources, a bibliography, hardiness zones and a full index complete this inspiring guide to this most beautiful tree.

Author Biography

Rosemary Barrett owns a nursery with her husband, where together they have developed an extensive collection of flowering deciduous trees, including many magnolias. Rosemary has collected each new variety as soon as it is released. She also writes on magnolias and other flowering trees and shrubs for numerous garden magazines and specialist periodicals.

Derek Hughes specializes in garden and horticulture photography, which has appeared in many books and magazines. As well as presentations of his garden photographs, he is also an educator of designers, digital artists and photographers.

Table of Contents

Introduction	8	(3)
Magnolias, their History, The When and the Where	11	(6)
Cultivation, The How and the Why	17	(5)
Propagation, More from Little	22	(3)
Landscaping with Magnolias, The Act of Beautification	25	(14)
For Those Who Can Wait, The Patient Gardener	39	(4)
For Those Who Cannot Wait, Instant Gratification	43	(8)
The Soulangeana Hybrids, A Soldier's Achievement	51	(4)
To Die For, The Best in White	55	(6)
To Die For, The Best in Pink	61	(6)
To Die For, The Best in Red and Purple	67	(4)
To Die For, The Best in Yellow, and Some Others	71	(4)
The Magnificent Magnolia, North American Grandeur	75	(4)
For Something Different, The Rare and the Special	79	(2)
An Extra Dimension, Perfume	81	(4)
Family Connections, The Handsome Cousins	85	(2)
Epilogue	87	(5)
Useful Addresses	92	(2)
Bibliography	94	(1)
Index	94

Excerpts

IntroductionWhy grow magnolias? Well, firstly, for their sheer beauty of flower. I do not think any tree approaches the breathtaking sight of a deciduous magnolia clothed from head-to-toe in flowers of arresting color and shape. Secondly, these trees are true aristocrats, with a stately bearing to match. Even without their marvelous flowers, they have a poise and charisma difficult to describe, but wonderful to behold. Thirdly, while many plants of special beauty can be difficult to grow, for example, some of the orchids, magnolias are blessedly simple in their requirements. Ernest Wilson, the great 20th,century British plant hunter, said of magnolias, "Their free flowering character and great beauty of blossom and foliage are equaled by the ease with which they may be cultivated."With the new smaller-growing varieties, even tiny gardens can have at least one magnolia, and, if you choose carefully, and have the space to incorporate the wonderful American evergreen magnolia Magnolia grandiflora, you may have magnolia flowers over many months.This is a book for hands-on gardeners, with practical advice and ideas from a gardener's viewpoint, rather than that of collectors, hybridists or nurserymen. I hope I can impart some of my knowledge and love of these wonderful trees to those who have not grown them before. And for those who already grow and love magnolias, I trust I can introduce you to some newer varieties that are particularly beautiful and rewarding. Of course, new hybrids appear all the time, some wonderful, some not so, but remember that there are still the tried-and-true magnolias that cannot be surpassed. We gardeners are extremely fortunate in that we have such a wide choice. Perhaps our only difficulty will be deciding what to grow -- but what a happy situation.