Lysimachia lanceolata var. purpurea #1 (Purple Lance-leaved Loosestrife)
August 25, 2020Pineapple Mint 3qt (Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’)
August 25, 2020Magnolia tripetala #2 (Umbrella Magnolia)
$24.99
-Part Sun
-Moist Soil (FACU)
-Slightly Acidic pH
-15-30′ Tall by 15-30′ Wide
-Broad, Open growth habit
-Large White Flowers in May
-Zone 5
-Southern Ohio Native
Out of stock
Umbrella Magnolia is an ancient and interesting deciduous understory tree that is native to Southern Ohio and the Appalachian Mountains, most commonly found growing beside streams and rivers. The impressive 24″ long, 10″ wide leaves emerge from the stems in a whorl-like pattern and cluster at the tips of the branches, resembling the spokes of an open umbrella. The blousy 10″ flowers are creamy white and very showy, but have a faintly disagreeable odor at close range. Beetles are the primary pollinators of Magnolia spp. Pinkish-orange, cone-like fruits mature in the fall. The seeds are covered in a fleshy, high fat exterior that provides food for many small mammals and birds, especially those seeking high-energy food sources for southern migration. The foliage of Magnolia spp. hosts at least 21 species* of Lepidoptera, including the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.
The Umbrella Magnolia tree thrives in protected locations in partial sun with a consistent supply of moisture throughout the growing season and a slightly acidic pH. It can be grown in sunnier locations if it is provided with adequate moisture, and is adaptable to less than ideal conditions but slower-growing. It has been noted that the trees look particularly beautiful when backlit by the sun and is a great choice for planting over woodland paths and as an understory specimen. The roots are fleshy and not wide-spreading, allowing for successful underplanting of ferns and woodland wildflowers.
Sources:
Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines by William Cullina
*Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees by Charlotte Adelman & Bernard L. Schwartz
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
ODNR
Photo Credits:
Flower and Leaf: Fritzflohrreynolds, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons