This week's Plant Of The Week is Magnolia macrophylla or Big leaf Magnolia.
The Big leaf Magnolia is a deciduous magnolia which is native to the southeastern United States and eastern Mexico. However, it can be grown farther north than that and these photos were taken last weekend at a garden in the Okanagan!.
Magnolia macrophylla is a medium-sized understory tree which generally reaches 15-20m tall (49 - 60'). (Understory means 'the area of a forest which grows at the lowest height level below the forest canopy'.)
This species of magnolia boasts the largest simple leaf and single flower of any native plant in North America. The leaves can reach between 25-80 cm (10-31") long and 11-30 cm (4-12") wide. Many of the tree's branches bend under the weight of the large foliage.
Cultivation - This species is often short-lived under cultivation due to its rather picky requirements. The tree likes loose, undisturbed rich soil (or mulch and compost substitutes) in full sun or part shade with plenty of moisture. It's best chances of success are in locations which closely mimic its natural habitat.
