Japanese magnolia trees are known for their beautiful and impressive display of lavender-pink blossoms as soon as the temperature starts to warm up in late winter. Though the tree’s large tulip-shaped blossoms are brief, they are what people remember about the tree. This is an interesting ornamental and a welcome one after experiencing the drabness of winter.
The Japanese magnolia is also known as saucer magnolia, tulip magnolia, or tulip tree. The ‘x’ in the middle of the tree’s scientific name, Magnolia x soulangiana, indicates that this is a hybrid of two species. Soulange is the garden in 
France where the first hybrid was spawned in the 1820’s. The hybrid is a cross between the Japanese species Magnolia liliflora and Magnolia denudata, and there are several cultivars with slight variations of color and size.
Japanese magnolia trees are small-to medium-sized trees, so they can fit in a small yard. They typically appear as a shrub or multi-trunk tree at first but can be pruned to form. This tree is often grown with multiple trunks, but too many will make it appear bushy. The bark color is light gray and the stem/twig color is brown.
Tree height is 15 to 25 feet or more, and spread 
is 10 to 15 feet or more. The largest known Japanese magnolia in Atlanta has a circumference of 8 feet, height of 30 feet, and spread of 30 feet. Trees tend to be thin and leggy if not in full sun. Trees have shallow roots and grow best in moist, well-drained soil that is kept watered and mulched, especially the first two years after planting.
Flowers on the Japanese magnolia bloom form fuzzy buds at the end of bare limbs. They have six petals, with the brightest color on the outside of the petal. The petals are upright and tulip-shaped at first and then they open up to a more saucer shape. They are 4 to 6 inches or 
more across. Leaves emerge soon after the flowers, detracting from the appearance of the flowers. The leaves are simple, deciduous and alternate. They are 4 to 6 inches long, are half as wide, and have feather-like veins and wavy margins. Leaves are green and fall color is brown or yellow. Fruit is an elongated, one-to three-inch cone-like structure possessing red seeds which are eaten by birds.
Trees can be propagated by rooting of cuttings or by planting seeds from the seed pods. A new plant can be expected to grow 10 to 15 feet over 10 years. Most problems with the trees can be traced to shading, lack of moisture, or damage 
by freezes. To ensure best blooming, any pruning should be done soon after flowering, before buds set for the next year.
In late winter as you admire the Japanese magnolia’s tulip-shaped blossoms, remember the information you have learned here. You will like them even more.
