Kingdom Plantae Family Magnoliaceae Subgenus M. subg. Yulania Rank Hybrid | Order Magnoliales Genus Magnolia Scientific name Magnolia × loebneri | |
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Section M. sect. Yulania subsect. Yulania Similar Magnolia stellata, Chinese magnolia, Magnolia sieboldii, Magnolia tripetala, Magnolia kobus | ||
Magnolia × loebneri Kache is a hybrid of two Magnolia species, the Japanese Magnolia kobus and M. stellata. crossed by Garteninspektor Max Löbner of Pillnitz, Germany, shortly before World War I; it first flowered in 1917. The deciduous, elegant and compact multi-stemmed small flowering tree or large shrub, slowly attaining a height of 20 feet and somewhat wider at maturity, is hardy to USDA Zone 4. Its fragrant late flowers, following its stellata parent by a couple of weeks, escape unexpected late spring frosts, but appear on the bare branches, to great effect. The deep pink buds open in informal strap-like tepals with pale shell pink upper surfaces and darker pink-purple lower ones. Like most magnolias, it thrives best on acid soils.
The selection, 'Leonard Messel' was a chance hybrid that was developed at Messel's garden in Sussex, Nymans. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Also on the market are white 'Ballerina' and the late-flowering white 'Merrill' that extend the loebneri season.
