Magnolia 'WADA'S MEMORY'

Another superb selection among magnolias is this beautiful cross between magnolia kobus and magnolia salicifolia, sometimes identified as magnolia x kewensis. It was registered in 1959 and named after Japanese botanist Koichiro Wada who helped with introduction of Japanese species to the west. It bears lovely and quite large flowers: 15-20 cm wide when fully opened of snow white colour. The petals are elongated and look like star-shaped magnolias but much bigger. Leaves are mid green, narrowly ovate. Another interesting feature is the colour of new branches – they are fresh green until late spring next year when new shoots appear. Unlike other magnolias, this tree forms quite a symmetrical pyramidal shape. Its height in ten years is about 4m. The soil must be rich in organic matter, slightly acidic, definitely lime-free, always moist but not wet, permeable and preferably light (add peat). It needs to be mulched in summer to retain as much moisture as possible. Magnolias hate to be disturbed at the roots – do not dig, rake or plant anything around them after they have established. Fully hardy to USDA zone 5 (perhaps warmer parts of 4).