zone 3 magnolia??

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 4:08 pm

I know that there are cold hardy magnolia, usualy around zone 5. But this one here is rated zone 3. Have you guys heard of this??

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/JaneMagnolia.htm

ROBRETI · Post by **ROBRETI** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:35 pm

Good pictures, nice plant. The same page had a reference to zone 4, too, so I am not sure.
But I tell you what. There was one famous botanist in Russia (Michurin) and tried to unheard of i.e. to grow apples trees in Siberia.... Winter can be very long and biting cold there, like -40 and below..... But there is snow! So the recommended technology was to actually bury the trees in snow (or even bending them down and covering them).
I think you also have quite a bit of snow in winter, so to grow a Magnolia might not be hopeless at all. IF you can afford it and can take it as an experiment, it just sounds great to me!
Rob

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:39 am

The snow pack was reliable, before 10 years ago. Now its every 3 outta 5 winters we have a deep snow pack. Last winter we have barley 6 inches of snow. This winter we have a good foot.

The thing is too, im positive i can get then to survive here no problem, but im not sure how well it will bloom here ( apperantly a western or easter exposure would be best, to keeep it slightly colder longer to make sure i dont freeze any flower buds.

Im going to be hopefuly growing a fig tree that way. Wont know till spring

Thanks again

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:08 am

Look up both Magnolia kobus (and the var. borealis) and M. acuminata, both of those would be good places to start looking for hardy Magnolia... As for hybrids, that 'Jane' looks like a good one to try. If you can find a mail order source that sells plants in the 15-20 bucks range, I say try them. You can also try seeds (I'd recommend joining the mag society and ordering seed through their seed counter. You can get different species, crosses, etc. not available anywhere else.

Oh, and you can check if there's a list of the Magnolia growing in Ottawa, they aren't as cold as long as your location, but are certainly a zone 4 and would be indicative of what would have a shot.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:27 am

No big surprise--they grow well down here.
Only hardiness problem is that they bloom early and we always get a freeze thereafter that kills the blooms, but the plants themselves don't suffer. Hopefully they will bloom after your last freeze. Or maybe you don't care about the blooms.
The star magnolia might also work for you. Also cold hardy; blooms even earlier, though.

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:38 am

That kobus is nice looking, although it would be nice to get a stellata just because its native to ontario. The acuminata is nice as well. Although that one is slightly big. Im actualy looking for a tall shrub or a small tree ( 10-30 feet), that wont cast too much shade, and thats functional in some way. I initialy wanted some sort of fruit tree, but the fruits ill actualy eat, wont grow here without alot of protection ( im looking for a hardy tree here, with no or absolute minimal protection). I also want to attract more birds and insects to my yard too.

As for growing mag from seed.... Are they hard to germinate? Most magnolia are fast growers as well?

The only one ive found so far here ( on the website), is Magnolia merril. It looks quite nice.

I agree eric, thats the problem im having as well. Apperantly if you put them in eastern exposure, this can help keep bloom slightly later then in a super warm protected southern wall. THen again, I wont know till i try

skunkyjoe · Post by **skunkyjoe** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 10:58 am

Magnolia Stellata is from Japan , and not native to Ontario . Magnolia Acuminata is though . Magonlia Stellata in hardy to at least zone four .

http://www.northscaping.com/InfoZone/FS ... 0039.shtml

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:26 am

My star magnolia is 30+ years old, has never received any winter protection.
Doesn't even have mulch, except a few juniper branches near its base.
Bulletproof here.

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:09 pm

Your zone 5 barb are you not? Your record low is -31C, damn cold... LOL. Even when they airport went to -37C, my yard wasnt lower then -32C, so I think I would hav that going for me

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:35 pm

Yes, zone 5 most winters.
The last two only minimally for duration.
The leafless tree behind the magnolia is a Red Oak.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/5665522933/" title="DSC04670 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/566 ... 13c40d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04670"></a>

Ignore the bad pruning job!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/473643538/" title="DSC00058 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/4736 ... 60c713.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00058"></a>

Magnolia blossoms are wonderful in that they provide bloom at a time when late winter is often its dreariest here.
Barb

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:41 am

Barb, how tall your stellata is?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:58 pm

Not quite 3 meters tall, Igor.

It's an old one (like everything I own....

)

Barb

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 2:42 pm

Thats sexy barb..... Makes me wish i had more room