Hi All, Attached are 2 pics of a white, double Magnolia (I think) that my former neighbour owned. I would love to purchase the same Magnolia for my new home, but I have not been able to identify it correctly to find it. In the pics I took a few years ago, it was blooming April 26 in Mississauga, Ontario. It was about 10 ft tall at 8 yrs old. I was thinking it was a Royal Star, however, the Royal Star appears to be a single flower. Thanks!
Magnolia are very difficult to id from pics. The number of tepals (petals)should be counted. The shape of the tepal is also important. You pic also seem to show a pink blush at the base of the outside tepals. Just a long shot, but to me it looks like Magnolia x loebneri ballerina. This has the pink blush and lots of tepals,that are broader than those of M.stellata. Or praps one of the other M.x loebneri cultivars. http://images.google.com/imgres?img...microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA&sa=N
It may be Magnolia x loeberni . . . that hybrid may not be hardy in Fergus . I live in Shelburne which is one zone colder that Fergus ( zone 4A ) and I have a 15 Foot tall Magnolia stellata ' waterlily ' in my front yard . Magnolia x loeberni may not be hardy in Paris . https://appserver1.kwantlen.ca/apps/plantid/plantid.nsf/0/550a8da38e7df80f8825707e005c3ccc?OpenDocument&Click=
Hi SkunkyJoe. Thanks for the ideas and information. I am in Paris, which is zone 5B (edge of the Carolinian Forest area). We seem to be in our own little microclimate - different (better) weather than Brantford or K-W-C. We are often on the fringe of storms that roll by and get both Brantford and K-W-C. I think the Nith and Grand rivers/valleys that pass through here on 3 sides gives us some protection! I am checking out some of the nurseries around here to see who has the best selection of magnolias. I am thinking I will hold off buying a magnolia until spring, when I can see the blossoms! I already have a small magnolia I bought in the fall when I moved here, that was suppose to be Royal Star and is a pink saucer type instead! Luddite Thanks for the pic of Ballerina. When I see the stellata, it is similar, but definitely the tepals on this magnolia are wider, and there were lot of tepals, easily more than a dozen. It was not fragrant in any noticable way I remember (there were 2 of these magnolias flanking a gate so if they were fragrant I would have known). If it was pink at the base, it was very pale. If I get a chance in April 2009... I will go back to the old house and count before I buy my magnolia! I have learned much about magnolias here. I am also looking at buying a magnolia 'sunbird' or 'elizabeth' - something yellow-for the rear of my property, instead of a non-flowering small tree. Also, I am about 45min from the Hamilton Royal Botanical Gardens. I see on their website they have a magnolia area in their Arboretum ( I have not seen this area on my occasional trips there). I think a magnolia trip in the spring could be helpful too!
Both star and Loebner magnolias show variation in tepal count, tepal width and floral fragrance between cultivars. Much sold cultivars like 'Waterlily' are represented by more than one introduction, each with its own traits.
sassi02, That sounds an excellent idea. So many lovely ones to choose from. Be very careful, Magnolias can become addictive!!!!
While I am patiently waiting for spring and the chance to figure out my white magnolia ID issues, I have been doing more reading and dreaming about magnolias! Then, when I was at a tree nursery last week buying a Japanese Red Pine and a Pinus strobus Bennett's contorted (little one) for a new bed. Out of the blue, I spotted a Magnolia 'Elizabeth' on sale - cheap! So, I bought it and now have 2 magnolias.
sassi02.... I did warn you! Your addiction has clearly started. Do check out Magnolia x loebneri Leonard Messel. It is like a M. stellata type with beautiful pale pink flowers. See.... http://images.google.com/images?um=...x+loebneri++leonard+messel&btnG=Search+Images
