Winter reveals the plant architecture highlighted by smooth grey bark and fuzzy flower buds. The crosses were made at the U.S. National Arboretum in 1955 and 1956 by William F. Kosar and Dr. Francis de Vos. All are F 1 hybrids and reported to be sterile triploid selections. These plants were selected and named by William F. Kosar. These magnolia selections bloom two to four weeks later than M. stellata and M . x soulangiana , reducing the possibility of late spring frost damage.
Plants produce flowers with a variety of tepal colors from reddish-purple to pink on white.
The unexpected sporadic summer bloom adds landscape interest. Specimen plant or mass planting in open recreation areas, industrial parks, or in the home garden. Locate to accentuate floral display, silvery gray bark, multi-stemmed habit, and winter architecture. Readily available from retail and wholesale nurseries.