74 MAGNOLIA 



apparently perfectly hardy. It blossoms in April on the naked shoots. The 

 flower is similar to that of M. Kobus, but otherwise the species is very distinct 

 in its narrow leaves, smooth leaf-buds and flower-stalks. It first flowered at 

 Kew in 1911. The bark when bruised emits a pleasant odour, like that 

 of Lippia citriodora (lemon-scented verbena). 



M. SOULANGIANA, Soulange-Bodin. 



(M. Yulan var. Soulangiana, Lindley, Bot. Reg., t. 1164.) 



A hybrid raised in the garden of Mr Soulange-Bodin at Fromont, near 

 Paris, from seed borne by M. conspicua fertilised by pollen of M. obovata. 

 The plant first flowered in 1826, and has since become the most popular of 

 all Magnolias in European gardens. In habit it is similar to conspicua, 

 forming a low, spreading, but more shapely tree. It flowers in April, rather 

 later than the yulan, and is usually at its best when the flowers of that species 

 are fading. Leaves 3 to 6 ins. long, mostly narrower than those of the yulan, 

 and especially more tapering towards the apex ; they are downy beneath. 

 The flowers appear first and make their great display on the naked shoots, 

 but continue to develop until early June, when the tree is full of foliage. 

 Numerous forms of this Magnolia have appeared since 1826, raised mostly 

 from its seeds. They are all alike in having the petals white inside and 

 stained more or less with purple on the outside ; but they vary in depth and 

 shade of colour, and in the width and shape of the petals. The following 

 names have been given : Alexandrina, cyathiformis, Hammondii (with very 

 narrow petals), Norberti, speciosa, superba, spectabilis (nearly pure white, 

 very large), triumphans, etc. Many are so similar that it is not possible to 

 distinguish them from each other in words. 



Var. NIGRA, Veitch. Introduced from Japan in 1861 by John Gould 

 Veitch, this variety is deserving of special mention not only for its distinctness, 

 but also because it shows that M. Soulangiana had an independent origin in 

 the East. It is of a deeper shade of purple than any European form, the 

 outside of the petals being entirely of a deep vinous purple. It is not of so 

 robust a constitution as ordinary M. Soulangiana. There is now a complete 

 series of forms ranging in colour from this remarkable variety to var. 

 spectabilis, which has but the faintest stain of purple at the base of the petals, 

 and might almost be taken for the yulan itself. M. Soulangiana is propa- 

 gated by layering, and the layers are used as stocks for M. conspicua. 



M. STELLATA, Moximowics. 



(Bot. Mag., t. 6370 ; M. Halleana, Ho< /.) 



A much-branched deciduous shrub of rounded, compact habit, 10 to 15 ft. 

 high, usually half as much more in diameter ; young bark very aromatic, at 

 first silky hairy ; winter buds shaggy. Leaves i\ to 4 ins. long, narrow oblong 

 or obovate, tapering at the base to a short stalk. Flowers fragrant, pure 

 white at first changing to pink ; produced on the naked shoots in March and 

 April. Petals twelve to eighteen, more numerous than in any other Magnolia, 

 \\ to 2 ins. long, narrowly oblong or strap-shaped, at first spreading, then 

 reflexed. In var. ROSEA, Veitch, the flowers are rosy on first opening. 



Native of Japan in the woods of Fujiyama ; introduced to England about 

 1877. For small gardens this is the most desirable of all Magnolias. Its 

 only defect is that its delicate petals are very susceptible to injury by frost, 

 or even excessive wind and rain. But it flowers most profusely, and the first 

 crop of blossoms if destroyed is succeeded by others. It sets its flowers 



