Plant of the Week - Magnolia x soulangeana

Driving out of the Saratoga village along Saratoga Avenue, we're greeted this time of year by this pair of stunning deciduous magnolias. Often referred to as a 'tulip tree' (not to be confused with the true tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera), the deciduous magnolia has been hybridized much providing you with a dizzying array of choices. Different varieties and species fill over 5 pages in the Sunset western garden book. One of the earliest bloomers in our spring garden, the showy blooms give way to bold textured foliage the remainder of the season. Prune after the flower show has faded, but before the buds set for the following year.