174 



PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GARDEN PLANTS magnolia 



Drim/ys above. A rich sandy loam, with 

 the addition of a little peat or leaf mould, 

 will suit them all well. They can he 

 grown out of doors with any satisfaction 

 only in the south, and even there they do 

 best in warm sheltered positions. New 

 plants are obtained by placing cuttings 

 of the ripened or half-ripened shoots in 

 sandy soil under handlights during the 

 summer months. 



I. floridanum. — This handsome shrub 

 is a native of Florida and other southern 

 parts of the United States. It grows 

 about 8 ft. high, and has oblong lance- 

 shaped leaves somewhat tapering towards 

 the point. The conspicuous deep purple- 

 red flowers, each consisting of 20-30 

 petals, are produced during the summer 

 months in drooping clusters, and emit a 

 fragrant odour. 



Culture dc. as above. 



I. religiosum (I. anisatum). — This is 

 a native of China and Japan, and grows 

 about 4 ft. high. The branches are 

 clothed with smooth entire leaves, and 

 during the summer months the small 

 yellowish-white flowers are produced in 

 clusters, emitting a sweet odour. 



This shrub is held in great reverence 

 by the Japanese, who decorate the tombs 

 of their friends with its branches, and 

 burn the bark as incense. 



Oultii/re dc. as above. 



MAGNOLIA (Lily Tree).— A genus 

 of beautiful flowering trees and shrubs 

 comprising about 20 species, some ever- 

 green, some deciduous. Flowers con- 

 spicuous, solitary, terminal, sessile or 

 shortly stalked, with a spathe-like bract. 

 Petals 6-12 imjoricating in 2 or more rows. 

 Carpels numerous, oblong, borne on a 

 more or less conical receptacle. Leaves 

 large entire. 



Culture omcL Propagation. — Magnolias 

 thrive in warm sunny positions in deep 

 rich loamy well-drained soil. When plant- 

 ing, which should be done in the spring just 

 as growth begins, care should be taken to 

 select a spot from which it will not be 

 necessary to remove the plant for at least 

 some years, as too frequent transplanting 

 is detrimental. 



The easiest way of increasing Magno- 

 lias in this country is by means of layers 

 put down in summer. Seeds, when obtain- 

 able, should be sown as soon as ripe in a 

 cold frame, and kept fairly moist vmtil ger- 



mination takes place. Cuttings of the half - 

 ripened green shoots with a piece of older 

 wood attached may also be struck under 

 glass during the summer months, and 

 should be grown under protection until 

 well rooted and established before plant- 

 ing out. 



Special varieties are increased by 

 grafting them in July and August upon 

 such stocks as the ' Cucumber Tree ' 

 {M. acuminata) or the ' Umbrella Tree ' 

 (M. Umbrella). 



Some Magnolias are not so hardy as 

 others, and practical experience is the 

 best guide as to whether a species will 

 grow well in a certain locality or not. 

 Very often the spring frosts play havoc 

 with the flowers, although the leaves are 

 left uninjured. The kinds described 

 below are those foimd most useful in this 

 country. Many of them are useful for 

 cultivation near large towns, as the grime 

 and soot does little harm to the smooth 

 foliage beyond dulling its brilliancy some- 

 what. 



M. acuminata (Cucumber Tree). — A 

 N. American vigorous deciduous tree 

 30-60 ft. high, with oblong acuminate 

 leaves, downy beneath, and 6-12 in. long. 

 The slightly scented glaucous - green 

 flowers, tinted vidth yeUow, are 3-4 in. 

 across, having 6-9 petals, and appear 

 from May to July. 



Fine specimens of this tree may be 

 seen in the Eoyal Gardens, Kew, at Syon 

 House, Claremont &c. 



Culture dc. as above. 



M. Campbell!. — A handsome decidu- 

 ous tree attaining a height of 150 ft. in 

 its native country — India. Unfortunately 

 it wiU only grow in the most favoiured 

 spots in the British Islands. At Lakeland, 

 near Cork, is a very fine tree 35-40 ft. 

 high, which flowered for the first time in 

 1883, and again in 1885. 



M. Campbelli has large oval lance- 

 shaped leaves covered with silky hairs 

 beneath. The slightly fragrant flowers 

 appear in AprU, and are 6-10 in. across, 

 pale rose inside, crimson outside. 



Culture dc. as above. 



M. conspicua (M. Yulan ; M. precia). 

 The Yulan. — A lovely deciduous Chinese 

 species 20-40 ft. high, with obovate, 

 abruptly pointed leaves, which are downy 

 when young. The large erect white and 

 fragrant flowers, with 6-9 petals suffused 

 with crimson outside, are produced in 



