The honest answer on red
People often search for red magnolia, and the honest reply is that the colour most often seen is a purplish red or deep magenta. The best-known source is Magnolia liliiflora, a shrub from China with dark purple-red, tulip-shaped flowers. Breeders have crossed it with other species to create hybrids in claret, ruby and wine shades.
- Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' is a dark purple-red, flowering a little later than many magnolias.
- Garden hybrids with liliiflora in their parentage often open red-purple on the outside and paler inside.
- Some plants sold as red are in fact deep pink, so look at pictures of the actual variety.
Later flowering is a bonus
Liliiflora and its relatives tend to flower after the earliest species. In Irish gardens this is helpful, because the blooms are more likely to miss the worst frosts of March.
Meaning
In the language of flowers magnolia is traditionally linked with dignity and perseverance, and red adds warmth and strong feeling. Treat that as tradition rather than rule.
Growing a dark one
Choose a sheltered, sunny spot in rich, moist soil. Dark flowers show off best against pale walls or light-coloured gravel. Water in dry spells during the first years, mulch every spring and avoid hard pruning.
Pet check
Pet owners can relax a little: magnolias are not known as a poisonous plant for dogs, cats or horses. A pet that eats a large amount of petals or leaves may still be sick, in which case ring your vet.
