Magnolia 'NORMAN GOULD'

Norman Gould is a compact growing Japanese magnolia hybrid. It makes 10 cm large, snow-white, goblet-shaped, fragrant flowers with 8-9 petals. They come out already from late March if the weather is nice. Deciduous leaves are 10-15 cm long, broadly ovate, mid green, and puckered. The plant forms compact, densely branched, moderately growing, narrowly pyramidal shrubs 3-4 m tall in 20 years.

It was bred by RHS at Wisley, UK, in 1950’s using colchicine which is an experimental alkaloid from autumn crocus (colcichum autumnale), used abundantly for DNA mutations without controversial radiation which was used long before and unfortunately still is today.

Magnolias are not supposed to be pruned. You can prune old shrubs if ill, or trim them to shape or to reduce size, or make an elementary cut to young plants of unsightly or unhealthy appearance. Do this as soon as possible after flowering to secure setting of flower buds for the following year. Be aware that each magnolia can respond differently to pruning.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acidic soil with equal moisture throughout the year. Once established they can do with occasional drought but will not look as nice as the ones with regular watering. Just pay attention to how you plant your magnolia. First, find it a spot where it will live forever and ever. It does not like transplanting. And as it makes shallow roots reaching well over its spread, stay away from disturbing the roots by digging or messing about around it. Just cover the soil with bark mulch and do not plant anything else near it after say the second year after planting onwards. You could damage the important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus, you could be digging it a grave. Being early to bloom the flowers may be exposed to some frost damage but the plant itself is hardier than many modern varieties, surviving down to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 13-12-2020