Magnolia hybrid 'Susan'

Pollinators: The fragrant, early-blooming flowers of Susan attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.

Birds: While Susan does not produce ornamental fruit, the dense foliage provides shelter for small birds, especially in the warmer months when the tree’s leaves are lush and full.

Spring: Susan magnolia is one of the earliest bloomers in the spring, with its vibrant pink flowers appearing before the leaves. It creates an eye-catching display, making it one of the first trees to bring color back to the garden after winter.

Summer: After the flowers fade, Susan produces large, dark green leaves that provide shade and continue to add beauty to the tree throughout the summer.

Fall: In the fall, the leaves of Susan turn a golden yellow, providing a beautiful backdrop to the tree's branching structure as it prepares for winter.

Winter: In winter, Susan enters dormancy, but its sturdy, bare branches provide winter interest with their graceful form.

Leaves: The large, dark green leaves of Susan emerge after the flowers have faded. The leaves are glossy and broad, providing a lush backdrop for the tree's overall form.

Fall Foliage: In the fall, the leaves turn a golden yellow, offering an additional color display before dropping for winter.

Texture: The leaves are leathery and smooth, contributing to the overall refined texture of the tree.

Flower Description: The flowers of Susan are large, star-shaped blossoms in deep pink to purple shades. They appear before the leaves, giving the tree a striking, almost ethereal quality. The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Flower Longevity: The blooms last for several weeks, depending on weather conditions, and provide a stunning display during the early spring.

Best Time to Plant: The best time to plant Susan magnolia is in early spring after the last frost or in fall before the first frost. This allows the tree time to establish its root system before extreme weather conditions.

Planting Instructions: Choose a location with well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring that the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly to help settle the roots.

Spacing: Space trees at least 10–12 feet apart to ensure they have adequate room to grow and develop their full form.

Pruning Time: Prune Susan magnolia after it finishes flowering in late spring or early summer to avoid cutting off the next season’s flower buds.

Pruning Tips: Remove dead or damaged branches and any crossing branches to maintain a tidy shape. Light pruning can help the tree retain its natural form and encourage better air circulation.

Avoid Heavy Pruning: Since magnolias bloom on old wood, avoid heavy pruning, especially in fall or winter, as it may reduce next year’s flowers.

Watering: Susan magnolia needs regular watering during the growing season, especially in the first few years to help establish a strong root system. Water deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not soggy.

Drought Tolerance: Once established, Susan is somewhat drought-tolerant but will perform best when watered regularly, especially during dry spells.

Watering Tip: Water at the base of the tree, not over the foliage, to prevent fungal diseases.

Susan magnolia thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal flowering, plant it in full sun where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, it can tolerate some partial shade, especially in hotter climates, where afternoon shade may protect the tree from stress.

While magnolias do not typically produce ornamental fruit, the flowers of Susan can be cut for use in fresh floral arrangements. For dried arrangements, cut the flowers when fully open, and hang them upside down in a dry, cool space to preserve their shape and color.

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, just before new growth begins. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as they can encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. A light application of organic compost around the base of the tree in early spring is also beneficial.
  
  
• Soil Amendments: Magnolias prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil. If your soil is too alkaline, amend it with peat moss or sulfur to lower the pH.
  
  

Susan magnolia is self-pollinating, so it does not require another magnolia tree to produce flowers. However, planting multiple magnolias in the same area can increase pollination and result in more abundant blooms.

Perennials: Pair Susan with shade-loving perennials like Hosta, Astilbe, or Heuchera to create a layered garden with complementary foliage.

Shrubs: Combine with other ornamental shrubs like Spiraea, Viburnum, or Weigela to create a dynamic shrub border with varying textures and colors.

Trees: Works well with other small to medium-sized trees like Japanese Maple or Flowering Dogwood for a layered, multi-seasonal display.