Lilytree (Magnolia denudata) is a rounded, thickly branched ornamental tree from central and eastern China, grown for its large fragrant white spring flowers. It is a species in the Magnoliaceae family and needs rich, moist soil and shelter from harsh weather and late frosts.
Family
Magnoliaceae (Magnolia family)
Grows as
Orchid, Tree
Light
Full sun, Part shade
Water
Keep soil consistently moist, especially in the first few years, without letting it become waterlogged.
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral.
Temperature
Hardy in cool temperate climates; flowers brown in frost, so shelter from late cold snaps and wind. Comfortable range about -20 to 30 °C.
How easy
Moderate
Native range
E. & S. China
Climate
temperate
About
Magnolia denudata, the lilytree or Yulan magnolia (simplified Chinese: 玉兰花; traditional Chinese: 玉蘭花; pinyin: yùlánhuā; lit. 'jade orchid/lily'), is native to central and eastern China. It has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist temple gardens since 600 AD. Its flowers were regarded as a symbol of purity in the Tang dynasty and it was planted in the grounds of the emperor's palace. It is the official city flower of Shanghai, China, and Daejeon, South Korea.
How to grow it
Magnolia denudata is used as an ornamental tree in gardens. It is similar to other magnolias in that it likes rich, moist soil and should be planted in a location where it is protected from elemental extremes. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Magnolia denudata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.