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September 23, 2009
Southern Magnolia in Brooklyn?
What are the chances that a southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora, survives in our climate? What about in a container? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I received a small specimen as a gift and would love to give it a try, but really only have space to try it in a container.
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Best of luck FixtheCanal. I have tried growing Bonsai trees, but it hasn't ever worked out all that well. Difficult climate. I reckon the southern magnolia would be ok though. GL!
Posted by: kissiffer4 at September 22, 2009 3:39 PM
well, magnolias do great in NYC (see the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in May), but in a container you'd definitely be at risk of freeze damage for the roots, unless it's a really huge container. I'd ask the question on the gardenweb forums, you'll get good answers there. Or call the BBG's help line and ask one of the librarians. THey're usually very helpful with stuff like that. You might want to heavily mulch or otherwise insulate the container for the winter. Get a ton of bubble wrap and go to town around the container, with heavy mulch on top of the soil. THe upper part of the magnolia will be fine, it's the roots you have to protect. But don't bring it inside, or it won't go dormant and bloom next spring. And if you can find a spot for it in the ground, it'll be much happier there.
Posted by: Frederick Law Homestead at September 22, 2009 3:41 PM
Ditto what FLO said. Phone BBG. I leave 3 bonsai in the garden over the winter & they've been fine but the roots are very protected.
Posted by: Arkady at September 22, 2009 3:47 PM
For the most part, what FLH and Arkady said. For the BBG Resource Center, see: http://www.bbg.org/lib/grc.html
What's not ditto: Bonsai is neither genus nor species, it's a technique for training trees, and more importantly, a horticultural art form. For some people, it's even a spiritual practice. There's an Indoor Bonsai class upcoming at BBG on October 11: http://www.bbg.org/edu/adult/
Posted by: vinca at September 22, 2009 4:07 PM
One of the most gorgeous magnolia tree's is on the corner of Lafayette and Marcy right here in Bed-Stuy...I think it may even be one of few national landmarked tree's. You could talk to this group more about tree's - http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/~gelobter/cucrej/html/magtree.html
Posted by: amybnyc at September 22, 2009 4:13 PM
Thank you all. Is it the temperature fluctuations that we are trying to avoid or just the really cold nights?
Posted by: FixtheCanal at September 22, 2009 4:18 PM
There are beautiful southern magnolias throughout Bed Stuy. Containers can be tricky. If the tree becomes pot bound and there's not enough soil, the roots may freeze in the winter and the tree may die.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 22, 2009 4:29 PM
For specific and detailed information about best success for container planting in this zone, try the BBG resource center.
From University of Washington Botanic Gardens:
“Here is what the book, Magnolias: A Gardener's Guide, by Jim Gardiner (Timber Press, 2000) says about growing Magnolias in containers:
“‘...considerable experience is needed to retain magnolias in a container for any length of time. The roots are particularly sensitive to being hot and dry during the summer months and frosted during the winter months... Evergreen magnolias and clones of Magnolia grandiflora, in particular M. grandiflora 'Gallissonniere,' can be grown in very large containers for indoor use in atria.’
“...if you take the matter of extreme heat and cold into consideration, you should be able to grow your magnolia in a container....(Some species) get very large, and for these a container might not be a good choice. Magnolias prefer good, free-draining acidic soil that does not dry out, according to Rosemary Bennett's book, Magnolias (Firefly Books, 2002). Since Azaleas also prefer acidic soil, the idea of using Azalea and Camellia potting mix makes sense.
“You may find the following information on growing trees in containers helpful:"...
http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-023/430-023.html
http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/spfiles/SP532.pdf
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17533
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21684&highlight=magnolia+container
Posted by: vinca at September 22, 2009 4:59 PM
We have been growing a "Betty" Magnolia in our yard for the past 17 years or so. We've had no problem with it whatsoever and the tree blooms faithfully each spring, bursting forth with the most outrageous deep pink/purple flowers. At this point, it's probably reached it's max height of about 10' Several of our neighbors have other Magnolia species planted in their yards as well. So, from April to May, the blossom show of our various Magnolia trees is quite spectacular. I cannot imagine growing this tree in a container.
Posted by: Brooklynista at September 22, 2009 7:04 PM
Do NOT get a deciduous flowering magnolia. Yes, when they bloom they are beautiful but that lasts only about a week or two. They drop a lot of stuff year round. First, they drop a covering for the flower that rots quickly into a slimy mess. Then, after the two weeks of flowering, the flowers drop and they are a real mess.
I know, I have one about 30' tall in Philly. It's especially annoying because it drops all of this stuff throughout the spring, summer and fall on a small yard patio and you are constantly cleaning it up.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 23, 2009 8:49 AM
Well, Dave is certainly right about the mess that flowering Magnolias make! After the stunning flower show which, yes, is awfully brief, it's weeks of cleanup thereafter. Definitely something to think about. Still, we love the tree and don't really regret having it.
Posted by: Brooklynista at September 23, 2009 10:05 AM
In my research of this important topic (!), and with the info supplied in particular by VINCA, I found that there are a number of more hardy varieties (Ann, Betty) that are do well in our area. They don't grow as large as the original Southern Magnolia variety, which can grow 50-80 feet. The Southern Magnolia, which is pretty sensitive to cold, technically can tolerate zone 7, Brooklyn. If I had a nice spot in the garden, I would plant it there, since everyone seems to rave about the Southern Magnolia. So I am going to put in a container this fall, wrap it up, keep it out of the wind, and hope for the best.
Posted by: FixtheCanal at September 23, 2009 10:45 AM
i'm no botanist by a long shot so i have no idea the variety or type but i have spotted a few lovely magnolia trees on the place streets in carroll gardens. they are really nice.
Posted by: CG_ups at September 23, 2009 11:04 AM
Magnolia Grandiflora grow well in Brooklyn. They can take cold and snow but they need to be protected a little from wind and they need a lot of sun, both in winter and summer. I doubt they can be grown in containers anywhere. They are very large trees.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 23, 2009 1:15 PM
Some of you are mixing up the Japanese Magnolia with the Grandiflora. The latter is evergreen and is grown more for its beautiful foliage and shape than for the flowers. The former is deciduous and flowers in the spring prior to leafing out, the flowers are very prominent. There is also the Magnolia Virginiana or Sweetbay. A much smaller tree with multiple stems. It may grow well in containers.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 23, 2009 1:19 PM
There's an evergreen Magnolia in a container on Union Street between 3rd Avenue and Nevins. It's been there a few years - they wrap it in burlap in the winter I think. It is looking kind of scraggly at this point however.
Posted by: solidago at September 23, 2009 1:48 PM
Solidago, I will definitely check that poor scraggly tree out.
Posted by: FixtheCanal at September 23, 2009 2:00 PM
Minard is right, completely different trees with different tolerances. I haven't seen any Grandiflora in the area, only down south where they can become enormous 40 foot specimens.
Posted by: 1842 at September 24, 2009 1:49 PM
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