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THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 



Apkil, 1907 



The ear-lobe magnolia (M. Fraseri), which is instantly recognized by the ear-liKe lobes of the leaf 



The large-leaved magnolia (M. macro- 

 phylla) has both the largest leaves and 

 largest flowers. The blossoms are ten or 

 twelve inches across and the leaves from 

 one to three feet long. Unfortunately, the 

 blossoms have a heavy odor and attract 

 the rose bugs. Also, the leaves are so thin 



that they are easily lacerated by the winds. 

 Therefore, the tree must be put in a sheltered 

 spot or it will have a bedraggled appearance. 

 This species has something of a tropical 

 appearance. 



The sweet bay (M . glauca) is an evergreen 

 tree in the South, but in the North it is a 



The Starry, or Hall's magnolia (M. sielUta), the only common one with starry, instead of cup-shaped flowers 



deciduous shrub. It grows in swamps, where 

 it is so crowded that one rarely sees a per- 

 fect specimen. I should like to know whether 

 it is always scraggly in cultivation. Its 

 small white flowers are deliciously fragrant 

 and the plant is easily distinguished from 

 other American species by the silvery under 

 surfaces of the leaves. 



The bull bay (M. grandiflora) , is a magnifi- 

 cent evergreen tree with thick glossy leaves, 

 the under surfaces of which are a beautiful 

 brownish red. Its flowering period is a long 

 one. The blossoms are thick, waxy and 

 emit a sweet perfume. 



The umbrella tree (M. tripetala), is so 

 called because of the way its leaves are 

 clustered at the ends of the branches. It is 

 a rapid grower. The flowers, though large, 

 are not particularly showy, as they are of a 

 dull, creamy white color. Nevertheless, it 

 is a grand tree and very interesting when in 

 fruit. 



The ear-lobed magnolia (M. Fraseri), 

 is the only one that has two prominent lobes 

 at the base of each leaf. It has fairly large, 

 creamy yellow flowers and vivid colored fruits. 



There are three Japanese species that are 

 particularly attractive because of the bright 

 red stamens in the centre of the flower. 

 These are M . hypoleuca, Watsoni and parvi- 

 flora. The last two are much alike but M . 

 parviflora has large pink sepals. M. Wat- 

 soni has larger flowers, with brighter stamens 

 and is exceedingly sweet scented. M. hypo- 

 leuca has the largest flowers of the Japanese 

 species. They are six or seven inches across. 



MAGNOLIAS WITH BEAUTIFUL FRUITS 



None of the magnolias that bloom before 

 the leaves have strikingly beautiful fruits, 

 as do the later ones. The fruits of M . tri- 

 petala, Fraseri, macrophylla, and hypoleuca 

 are particularly showy. They are curious, cone 

 like structures, which take on the most lovely 

 rosy tints as they ripen. Later they open 

 and suspend their bright red seeds on delicate 

 white silky threads, the strength of which 

 is marvelous. The fruits of M. hypoleuca 

 are perhaps the most vivid of all. The 

 noble specimen in the Dosoris collection 

 fruited last year, for the first time, but it 

 has fruited sparingly during the last three 

 years on Prof. Sargent's place in Brook- 

 line, Mass. . 



Most of the magnolias that blossom before 

 the leaves have little odor in their flowers. 

 The starry magnolia is an exception. All 

 those that bloom with the leaves have a most 

 decided odor, but it is not always pleasant. 

 The sweet bay and bull bay are noted for 

 their sweet perfume and their flowers find 

 a ready sale. The ear-lobed magnolia (M . 

 Fraseri) has a delicious fragrance but it is 

 not equal to that of M . Watsoni. The odor 

 of M. hypoleuca appears rather sweet at 

 first, but after awhile it becomes heavy and 

 sickening. Magnolia tripetala and macro- 

 phylla have much too heavy an odor to be 

 pleasant. 



CULTURE OF MAGNOLIAS 



Magnolias have one prominent limitation. 

 Their roots are soft, spongy and brittle, and 

 if badly broken, are slow to recover. 



