LARGE-FLOWERED MAGNOLIA. O 



"Gardeners' Magazine," vol. xi., it was introduced at Macao by a Mr. Livingston, 

 previously to 1830; and the Magnolia acuminata, glauca, and umbrella, soon 

 afterwards. 



Soil and Situation. The Magnolia grandiflora, in its natural habitat, grows 

 in cool and shady places, where the soil, composed of brown mould, is deep, 

 loose, and fertile. These tracts lie contiguous to the great swamps which are 

 found on the borders of the rivers of the south, and in the midst of the pine-bar- 

 rens. In Europe and the northern parts of the United States, a deep sandy 

 loam, dry at the bottom, and enriched with vegetable mould, seems to suit all 

 the varieties of the species. 



The situation, in the colder parts of Europe and America, may be exposed to 

 the direct influence of the mid-day sun ; but in southern Europe, and its native 

 climate, it always thrives best when in the shade of other trees, and requires a 

 moister soil. In general, where the fig-tree will grow as a standard, and 

 survive the winter without protection, there the Magnolia grandiflora may be 

 planted, and treated as a standard also. Perhaps the finest situation for display- 

 ing the flowers of this tree, as a standard in a northern climate, would be a 

 sloping bank of sandy soil facing the south-east. Here it might be mixed with 

 a few of the deciduous magnolias, and particularly with the Magnolia con- 

 spicua soulangeana, which flowers before the leaves come out, and would be set 

 ofl" to great advantage by its green leaves. 



Propagation and Management. The Magnolia grandiflora may be raised 

 from the seed : but, as plants so originated do not flower for twenty or thirty years 

 after being planted out, it is preferable to have those which have been propagated 

 by la^^ers from flowering trees of choice varieties. When propagated by layers, 

 the shoots are put down in autumn, and require two years to become sufficiently 

 rooted for separation. They are then potted, and kept in pits, or under glass. 

 where the climate requires it to be protected, or set in the open air, in a shady 

 place, if the climate is too hot, till wanted for final planting. It is not recom- 

 mended in any case whatever to purchase any species of magnolia for planting 

 not grown in a pot ; because plants so grown may be sent to any distance without 

 injury to the roots, which are few and succulent, and easily damaged by expos- 

 ure to air and light. In planting, the ball should be carefully broken by the hand, 

 and the roots spread out in every direction, and covered with a mixture of leaf 

 mould and sandy loam. The soil ought to be made firm to the fibrous roots, not 

 by treading, but by abundant watering, and, if the plant be large, by fixing with 

 water ; that is, while the earth is being carefully put about the roots by one man, 

 another should pour water over it from a pot held six or eight feet above it. 

 so that the weight of the water may wash the soil into every crevice formed by 

 the roots. Shading will be advisable for some Aveeks, or even months after 

 planting. If the plant is intended to form a handsome tree as a standard, it 

 should not only have a sufficient depth of suitable soil, but should be pruned to 

 a single stem for at least three or four feet from the ground, to direct the growth 

 of the head. If the plant does not grow freely after it has been three or four years 

 planted, it ought to be bent down to the ground, and kept in that position until 

 it throws up one strong shoot from the collar. The old stem should then be cut 

 away, leaving only the new shoot ; and this shoot, which will probably extend 

 three or four feet the first season, will soon form a handsome tree. If the Exmouth 

 variety {M. g. exoniensis) of this species be made choice of, layers will produce 

 flowers in a year or two after being separated from the parent plant, if kept in 

 pots; but, when they are planted out, and grow freely, so as to make shoots two 

 or three feet each season, they will probably not flower for three or four years. 

 In whatever manner this tree be treated, all the pruning it will require, after it has 

 begun to grow freely, will be to cut out the stumps from which the flowers or 



