Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Lilliputian’ (Saucer Magnolia)

A slow grower with a tight habit, Magnolia x soulangeana ‘Lilliputian’ is one of the smallest Saucer Magnolias and is ideal for small gardens or container planting. This compact deciduous shrub or small tree boasts fragrant, goblet-shaped, pale pink flowers with delicate pink streaks along the petals and a darker base. As the flowers mature, they open their broad tepals to reveal white interiors and create a bicolor effect which further adds to the beauty of the floral display. Rich with a citrus fragrance, the blooms appear on naked branches in early spring, before the large, oval, gray-green leaves unfurl.

Magnolia belongs to the Magnoliaceae family, which includes several popular species such as the Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata), Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana), and Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana).

• Grows upright with a pyramidal habit, up to 12 ft. tall (4 m) and 8 ft. wide (2 m)
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in consistently moist, slightly acidic, organically rich, well-drained soils. Magnolias are adaptable to clay, loam or sandy soils, but most grow poorly in wet or poorly drained soils. Provide a site sheltered from cold, dry winds as buds and flowers may be damaged by cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds too.
• May be attacked by capsid bug, snails, horse chestnut scale, coral spot, gray mold, honey fungus.
• Spectacular as a specimen plant for dramatic spring blooms. Great flowering tree for city gardens or cottage gardens.
• Magnolia pruning should be carried out in midsummer when in full leaf
• Deciduous Magnolias are best planted when dormant, in late fall or winter in warmer climates and early spring in cold climates. Evergreen magnolias are best planted in early spring. For the first 6 to 12 months after planting, both types will benefit from mulch and regular irrigation during warm or dry weather.
• Propagate by seed in autumn and spring, by softwood cuttings from late spring to early summer or semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to fall
• Pretty Magnolia trees and Shrubs for Small Gardens