If there is a Saucer magnolia in your neighbourhood you've surely noticed it by now. Spring brings the most amazing display, as the large, goblet-shaped pink flowers erupt into bloom.
Magnolia soulangeana is a slow-growing, deciduous tree or large shrub. The growth habit is typically upright when young then gradually shifting to pyramidal or rounded with age. They are often multi-stemmed with smooth gray bark and long broad leaves.

The upright, fuzzy, long buds open to the early blooming flowers, with the broad leaves arriving after flowering. The open, saucer-shaped flowers may reach 15cm (6in) in diameter and are typically pink on the outside and white to pale pink inside. The blooms are pleasantly fragrant. Small grey fruits open to expose orange red seeds.
This tree loves moisture, good rich soil, half shade or full sun if well mulched, and it does well in lawns. It is somewhat drought tolerant once established. The grand display of those gloriously large blooms is announcing that spring will soon be here!

Sowing:
Sow seeds as soon as possible, do not store.
Seeds have been removed from the red seed coat, cleaned and are ready for planting.
A practice many growers use is to sow seed directly into containers 20-30cm (8-12in) deep to allow for the eventual, vigorous root system. This practice eliminates the need to transplant into pots after the first true leaves have formed. Other propagators stratify seeds in plastic bags and plant them in pots after germination.

Stratification:
Place the seeds in a polythene bag containing a moist, sterile medium such as peat or grit, seal and label and put in the refrigerator at about 4°C (39°F). Leave for about two months, check regularly and plant as they germinate.

Sowing into pots:
Sow seeds about 1.3cm (0.5in) deep into pots containing a light compost. Whatever medium is used, it is important that it be well drained and preferably sterile. It is best to cover pots with plastic or glass to retain moisture and humidity and protect the seed. Keep moist at all times.

Seeds germinate at temperatures of about 18-24°C (65-75°F). Germination can take place in a few weeks, but as much as several months may be required.
After germination, and remove the plastic or glass covering and place the seedlings in a sunny location. When seedlings are big enough to handle (about 2-3 weeks), carefully transfer to pots. Grow on until they are strong enough to plant into their permanent positions. Harden off before planting out (after the last expected frosts).

Cultivation:
Position in full sun or partial shade. Protect frosted flowers from the early morning sun as rapid thawing discolours and shortens the life of the flowers. Magnolias are otherwise fully hardy down to -10°C (14°F). Feed every two weeks whilst the tree is in leaf using a balanced fertiliser, from August the use of a low-nitrogen feed is recommended to harden the years growth in preparation for the winter.
They prefer a moist well drained slightly acidic soil, but are fairly tolerant. It is beneficial to add a top dressing of compost, but be careful not to disturb the roots. Magnolias do best when given enough room to develop root systems - better away from other trees with plenty of sun and room to grow. Transplanting large trees isn't advised
M. soulangeana puts out the majority of its years' growth in the 5 or 6 weeks after flowering. In late June prune back to shape. After this time, next years' flower buds will be forming and further pruning will result in fewer flowers the following spring.
Magnolia is virtually disease free. Watch for include leaves turning yellow, which would be a sign of too much alkaline in the soil. Aphid insects and scales, most often during flowering season can be a problem. Simply use an organic herbicide, taking care not to spray while the flowers are open.

Nomenclature:
In 1703 Charles Plumier (1646-1704) named a beautiful flowering tree from the island Martinique after Pierre Magnol, director of the Botanical Garden in Montpellier, France.
The species was named for Etienne Soulange-Bodin, a 18th century French cavalry officer and Director of the Royal Institute of Horticulture, who bred M. denudata with another flowering Asian magnolia, M. liliiflora, thus creating M. x soulangeana. Dozens of additional varieties have since been created. Pronunciation: soo-lan-jee-AY-na

An Ancient Genus:
Magnolias are considered primitive flowering plants. They developed so early during plant history that there were no bees yet to pollinate their flowers, so beetles did that job instead.