Magnolias are amongst the most splendid of all hardy trees.

M. grandiflora 'EXMOUTH'

Two types are cultivated:

- Deciduous species and hybrids, natives of Asia (Nepal, China, Japan), most of them flower during spring, before coming into leaf.

- The evergreen Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) from the South East United States, produces its fine flowers in late spring and summer.

M. x soulangiana 'ANDRE LEROY'

The hybridisation was first made in 1820 by SOULANGE-BODIN between Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora (mulan magnolia) to give birth to the group Magnolia x soulangiana (saucer magnolia). Since then, the number of cultivated hybrids has increased a lot (around 300 today). Among all these hybrids, we selected varieties able to flower from their first years of cultivation that are also resistant to frost and diseases.

We do also propose a large range of varieties enabling to stagger the flowering season from March to May (from M. stellata to M. liliiflora 'NIGRA').

All these varieties are cultivated outdoors with our warm weather ripening the wood thus giving a much better chance of flower.

The Cultivars :

• Magnolia stellata (star magnolia), Magnolia x loebneri 'LEONARD MESSEL' : flowers star-shaped. These varieties are the most resistant of the family, up to -25°, -30° for Magnolia stellata, and they flower earlier. With their small statrure, they are perfectly suited for smaller gardens and for growing in pots, especially M. stellata. 

Magnolia stellata
'CENTENNIAL'

• Magnolias hybrids 'HEAVEN SCENT', 'GALAXY', 'ROYAL CROWN', 'SUSAN', 'STAR WARS' : narrow tulip-shaped flowers. If they are medium-sized (9 to 18 ft), they can boast a rapid growth during the first years. Associating the different varieties, from 'Royal Crown' to 'Galaxy', ensures a two month-long bloom. Can be planted free-standing..

• Magnolia x soulangiana and its cultivars : flowers wider and shaped like large tulips. Old plants reach large sizes, the variety has straggling growth during the first years. In medium-size gardens, to be planted as an isolated specimen.

• Magnolia liliflora 'NIGRA' : narrow tulip-shaped flowers, repeat flowering. Same size as Stellata, the second flowering enables to be planted either in groups of trees or free-standing.

M. grandiflora

Contrary to deciduous Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora grows upright, so that it can be planted free-standing or as a standrard tree on the continent, in Britain it is frequently used as a wall plant.

At the end of the fifties, MINIER nurseries invented a new method of cultivation by cutting to propagate this beautiful but difficult plant. Therefore, all our varieties are raised on their own roots, it guarantees that they are true to type and ensures their resistance to cold.

Deciduous Magnolias

They prefer light and not too acid loams, evergreens do like more heavy and alkaline loams. In order to compensate the loams' deficiencies, you can add fertilizer when planting and then every two or three years, it can be peat mixed with manure. As fertilizers, manure or organic fertilizers can be used, the latter provides a better nutrition thanks to a slower spread in the soil.

When young, Deciduous Magnolias are more sensitive to spring frosts, a protection against slugs is needed. In case of fungoid or bacterial attacs (black leaf blights), use a general fungicide.

Magnolia x soulangiana 'ANDRE LEROY'

Evergreen Magnolia

They have very few enemies, except long periods of cold and late frosts, especially when they are young. Magnolia grandiflora is usually planted free-standing, allowing the plant to develop into its natural shape or it can be pruned into a pyramid (pruning in spring after the risk of frost – a technique which limits flowering).

OUR CULTIVARS :