The Captivating Leonard Messel Japanese Magnolia Tree
The Leonard Messel Japanese magnolia tree is a showstopper in any garden. This ornamental flowering tree captivates with its abundant spring blooms and delightful fragrance. In this article, we’ll explore why this compact magnolia tree has become a gardener’s favorite.
Overview of the Leonard Messel Magnolia
The Leonard Messel magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’) is a deciduous hybrid tree admired for its early spring display. It was created by noted British plantsman Sir Frederick Stern by crossing Magnolia kobus with Magnolia stellata. The magnolia was named after renowned 20th-century garden designer Leonard Messel.
This small magnolia tree stands out for its
- Profuse fragrant blooms in early spring
- Frost tolerance
- Compact, multi-stemmed form
- Mature height of 15-20 feet
The blooms emerge from fuzzy reddish-purple buds, opening into star-shaped white flowers about 4 inches across. The inside of each tepal (petal) is white, while the outside has a rosy purple blush. The flowers appear before the leaves in early to mid-spring, blanketing the bare branches.
The Royal Horticultural Society granted the Leonard Messel magnolia its coveted Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding ornamental qualities
Growing Conditions for Leonard Messel Magnolia
This magnolia grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9. It thrives in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The tree appreciates partial shade, especially in hot southern climates. Shelter it from harsh winds which can damage the early blooms.
When planting, amend heavy clay or sandy soils with organic compost. This improves drainage and provides nutrients. Maintain even soil moisture while the tree is young. Once established, Leonard Messel magnolia is moderately drought tolerant.
Planting and Caring for Leonard Messel Magnolia
Follow these tips to successfully grow a Leonard Messel Japanese magnolia:
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Plant in early spring or fall. Container-grown trees can be planted anytime.
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Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball. Set the tree at the same depth it was growing in the nursery container.
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Backfill the hole with amended native soil, tamping down to remove air pockets. Construct a water basin around the base.
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Water thoroughly after planting and twice weekly the first season.
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Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches from the trunk. Replenish as needed.
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Stake the tree for support the first year if exposed to wind. Remove stakes after 1-2 years once well established.
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Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches. Never trim the terminal leader.
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced or acidifying fertilizer.
Potential Problems and Solutions
Leonard Messel magnolia is relatively pest and disease resistant when cared for properly. Potential issues include:
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Leaf spots: Increase air circulation and avoid wetting foliage. Remove and destroy affected leaves.
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Powdery mildew: Improve airflow and reduce shade. Apply neem oil or sulfur fungicide sprays as needed.
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Sucking insects like aphids, scale, mealybugs: Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays to control.
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Cankers: Prune out infected areas. Sterilize pruning tools between cuts.
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Verticillium wilt: Improve drainage and avoid drought stress. Remove affected branches.
Using Leonard Messel Magnolia in the Landscape
With its compact, multi-stemmed form, the Leonard Messel magnolia works beautifully in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and other small-scale plantings. Underplant it with early bulbs like snowdrops, crocus and grape hyacinth to extend the floral display.
The lightly scented blooms make exquisite cut flowers. Cut a few branches to bring inside and display in a vase.
Since it matures under 20 feet tall, this magnolia can be grown in containers on decks, patios and in compact gardens. Choose at least a 15-20 gallon pot and use a quality container potting mix. Provide consistent watering.
For best bloom, select a site with full sun to part shade. Shelter from drying winds helps protect the early flowers. Allow enough room for it to develop its natural rounded form.
Prune only after spring flowering is finished, removing any dead or damaged branches. Never shear the top leader or you’ll lose the tree’s natural shape.
With proper siting and care, the Leonard Messel rewards gardeners with graceful beauty and spectacular floral displays year after year. Its compact size makes it ideal for today’s smaller gardens.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Leonard Messel magnolia isn’t quite right for your landscape, consider these alternative magnolia trees:
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Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) – A shrubby magnolia smothered in white star-shaped blooms in early spring.
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Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) – Small tree with large cup-shaped white, pink or purple spring blooms.
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Oyama magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii) – Large white late spring flowers and greater cold hardiness.
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Loebner magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri) – Another compact hybrid great for small spaces and cooler climates.
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Umbrella magnolia (Magnolia tripetala) – Huge leaves and large upright white summer flowers on a big tree.
The Captivating Charm of the Leonard Messel Magnolia
With its early abundance of large fragrant blooms and compact form, it’s easy to see why the Leonard Messel has become one of the most popular magnolia trees for gardens. A real showstopper in spring, this ornamental magnolia tree adds grace and seasonal delight to gardens year after year.
Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ Pronunciation: mag-NOH-lee-uh LEB-ner-eye SKU #05960 USDA Zone
Your climate might be too cold for this plant: A delightful specimen that develops stunning, bi-colored, flowers on bare stems at an early age. The petals of the exquisite star magnolia-like blooms have rosy-purple undersides and crisp white topsides. Green foliage emerges after the flowers in spring. Excellent for use as a spectacular large shrub or small multi-trunk specimen tree. Deciduous.
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Why plant Leonard Messel Magnolia?
When the grass turns greener, the birds are singing, and it starts to look, feel, and smell like spring, thats when Leonard Messel Magnolia joins in, adding bunches of fragrant frilly pink blossoms to the celebrations. We love this dependable hybrid Magnolia tree. Its so easy to grow and trouble-free – all youll have to do is sit back and enjoy the show! The flowers are more resistant to frost than those of other Magnolias, too , should Old Man Winter decide he isnt done with us yet. Plant this choice ornamental tree in a front island bed, in your entryway garden, or – better yet – by your back patio, where you and your guests can savor this fresh breath of springtime.
Leonard Messel was a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, but when WWI broke out, he was barred from fighting because his father was German. He did what he could for the war effort, anyway—training troops in East Kent. During the war, he wrote hundreds of letters to the young men he had trained, and he wrote heartfelt letters to their parents when they didn’t go home. This lovely Magnolia, which originated in Messel’s garden, is usually grown as a large shrub. Our Tree-Form Messels offer a different look.
Top 5 Best Magnolias for Cold Climates | NatureHills.com
FAQ
How big does a Leonard Messel Magnolia get?
stellata). It is a small tree typically growing to 20-30′ tall with a rounded crown. It is more often grown in a multi-trunked form that as a single trunk tree.
Where to plant Leonard Messel magnolia?
10 feet from power poles. 7 ½ feet from driveways (10 feet recommended) 20 feet from street lights and other existing trees. 30 feet from street intersections.
Where is the best place to plant a Japanese magnolia tree?
It’s common to grow these small trees with several trunks, but too many looks untidy. Over the second and third years after planting, thin the number of trunks to about three to five for a more attractive tree. It’s important to plant Japanese magnolias in a well-drained, sunny to partly sunny location.
How long does it take a Japanese magnolia tree to grow?
What is a Leonard Messel Japanese magnolia tree?
This hybrid magnolia is a cross between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata, combining the cold hardiness of one parent with the floral beauty of the other. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing and caring for a Leonard Messel Japanese magnolia tree.
What does a Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ look like?
Noted for its frost resistance, award-winning Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ is a vigorous medium-sized deciduous shrub or small tree of remarkable beauty in full bloom. Opening from purple buds, the fragrant flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), are deep pink with a delicate white tinge inside their 12 narrow tepals.
Is Leonard Messel a hybrid magnolia?
This plant is a hybrid Magnolia resulting from a cross between Magnolia kobus and Magniola stellata ‘Rosea’. Blooming later than the earliest Magnolias, ‘Leonard Messel’ flowers are less susceptible than most Magnolias to late frosts. Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
What is Leonard Messel?
Leonard Messel is a cultivar of Magnolia x loebneri, which is itself a hybrid between M kobus and M stellata. It was bred by the famous plantsman Sir Frederick Stern and named after the renowned British garden designer Leonard Messel. This small magnolia tree is noted for its:
Are Leonard Messel trees frost tolerant?
The flowers are less susceptible than most magnolias to late frosts. ‘Leonard Messel’ is a cross of M. kobus and M. stellata ‘Rosea’. Late spring frost may damage early blooms. Excellent specimen tree for the lawn or shrub border. Also effective on the periphery of a woodland area.
Does Leonard Messel Magnolia have a guarantee?
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Free) 1 Year Guarantee (Add 10%) The Leonard Messel Magnolia is a showstopper that puts on a lovely floral display in late April. This plant is so eager to welcome spring that the star-shaped, purple flowers bloom before the leaves emerge. The flowers are 4 inches wide and have strap-like petals.