Saucer Magnolia
Magnolia × soulangeana
Also listed as Yulania × soulangeana, Magnolia × brozzonii
Also known as Tulip Magnolia, Chinese Magnolia
Climate Match for your location
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A hybrid deciduous tree prized for its large, fragrant tulip-like flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. The blooms range from white to pink to purple depending on cultivar, making it an ornamental focal point in gardens.
Why grow it
Saucer magnolia flowers reliably in early spring before most other ornamental trees leaf out, providing a distinct phenological window in the landscape. Compared to native magnolia species in many regions, it offers a wider color range (white through pink to purple) and larger flowers, though it sacrifices some cold hardiness and requires careful siting to protect early blooms from late frosts that can damage the flower buds.
Watch out for
Early flowering means late spring freezes can reduce or eliminate bloom in unpredictable years, so placement matters more than for later-flowering alternatives. The tree's shallow, fleshy root system is easily damaged by soil compaction and cultivation around the base, and it benefits from consistent moisture during establishment and drought stress.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
Native Range
Garden hybrid (Magnolia denudata × Magnolia liliiflora)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Alexandrina' and 'Lennei' are among the most widely grown, with 'Alexandrina' featuring large pink-purple flowers and 'Lennei' known for deep wine-red blooms and slightly later flowering that reduces frost damage risk.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hybrid deciduous tree prized for its large, fragrant tulip-like flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. The blooms range from white to pink to purple depending on cultivar, making it an ornamental focal point in gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Saucer Magnolia grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Saucer magnolia flowers reliably in early spring before most other ornamental trees leaf out, providing a distinct phenological window in the landscape. Compared to native magnolia species in many regions, it offers a wider color range (white through pink to purple) and larger flowers, though it sacrifices some cold hardiness and requires careful siting to protect early blooms from late frosts that can damage the flower buds.
Watch out for
Early flowering means late spring freezes can reduce or eliminate bloom in unpredictable years, so placement matters more than for later-flowering alternatives. The tree's shallow, fleshy root system is easily damaged by soil compaction and cultivation around the base, and it benefits from consistent moisture during establishment and drought stress.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
Native Range
Garden hybrid (Magnolia denudata × Magnolia liliiflora)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Alexandrina' and 'Lennei' are among the most widely grown, with 'Alexandrina' featuring large pink-purple flowers and 'Lennei' known for deep wine-red blooms and slightly later flowering that reduces frost damage risk.