lo Oct., 1 90S.] Garden Notes. 625 



GARDEN NOTES. 



/. Cronin, Principal, School of Horticulture. 



The Magnolia. 



Magnolia is a genus of shrubs and trees, naany of which are highly 

 ornamental and sufficiently hardy to endure the conditions prevailing in 

 gardens in most parts of the State. Various species are deciduous and pro- 

 duce their flowers in spring immediately before and during the period that 

 the leaves are beginning to develop ; others are evergreen and bloom during 

 the summer months. Magnolias are found native in Eastern Asia and 

 North America. Most of the deciduous species in cultivation in Victoria are 

 natives of China and Japan. Under natural conditions some kinds attain 

 a height of over fifty feet, but the largest trees grown here fall far short 

 of that standard, well grown specimens of Magnolia grandiflora rarely ex- 

 ceeding a height of thirty feet. Magnolia grandiflora lanceolata is the most 

 generally known of the evergreen kinds, and is certainly one of the finest 

 ornamental trees in cultivation. The deciduous kinds, which are worthy 

 of more extended culture, may be seen in many gardens in the cooler dis- 

 tricts. The flowers of most Magnolias are tulip-like in form, of large 

 size, the petals being stout in texture and of clear lustrous colour, and in 

 most cases the flowers are verv fragrant. Fine examples of various 

 deciduous species and varieties may have been seen blooming at the Mel- 

 bourne Botanic Gardens in September. 



Culture — Selection — Propagation. 



Magnolias generally require a fairly rich and porous loamy soil to 

 insure free healthy growth and abundant bloom. They will not thrive in 

 stagnant soil, but a fair amount of moisture is needed during the growing 

 season to develop the growths and flower buds ; established plants will 

 endure severe weather conditions if the soil is well cultivated and moisture 

 thereby conserved. Newly planted specimens need some attention in water- 

 ing, mulching &c. until established. Soils containing a heavy percentage 

 of lime are considered unsuitable for the cultivation of Magnolias. The 

 most suitable time for planting is in early spring. The roots of most 

 kinds are of a fleshy nature and are likely to decay if placed in saturated 

 soil in winter. 



Fairly sheltered, but unshaded, positions should be provided if pos- 

 sible ; the plants require fair sunlight, but without protection from severe 

 wind the foliage and flowers of the deciduous kinds are damaged and 

 spoiled. Magnolias are admirable subjects for large borders, or groups, 

 or for planting as specimens on lawns, for which purpose M. grandiflora 

 is eminently suitable. 



Propagation is effected bv layering, grafting in many cases, and from 

 seeds. Where seeds can be obtained the plants can be easilv raised, but 

 skill and propagating plant are necessary to increase plants by grafting. 

 Layering is an easv method of propagation, the details being identical 

 with those frequent Iv referred to in these notes. 



Species and Varieties. 



The following kinds and varieties which are all deciduous are suitable 

 for gardens of moderate size : — Magnolia stellata, — the starry magnolia, a 



