Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Mid to late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 6m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Magnoliaceae
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with a conical habit. Its mid green leaves are elliptic with entire margins, up to 20cm long and 8cm broad. Its leaves are bronze coloured when they emerge with its flowers in spring. Its bark is quite smooth and gray. Its lightly fragrant pale yellow flowers emerge from large buds and when open are cup shape and up to 12cm long.
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’, commonly known as Magnolia Elizabeth or Elizabeth Magnolia, is a cross between Magnolia acuminata and Magnolia denudata . Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ is synonymous with Magnolia × brooklynensis ‘Elizabeth’. The cross was made in Brooklyn Gardens in 1956 and a clone was selected in 1978 and named after Elizabeth Scholz, the garden’s director.
The etymological root of the binomial name Magnolia was named after Pierre Magnol, a 17th century French botanist.
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ useful as a spring flowering specimen large shrub/ small tree. It prefers a sheltered location.
Ecologically, Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ flowers are attractive to some pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ prefers moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acidic pH of soil.
Magnolia ‘Elizabeth’ requires little maintenance. Pruning, if required, should be carried out in midsummer.
Landscape Architecture
