Magnolia denudata Festirose

The Magnolia denudata Festirose is a French variety of Naked Magnolia selected in 1998. Its floral buds covered with gray fuzz bloom as early as March to produce beautiful soft pink tulip-shaped flowers, 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) in diameter. These flowers precede the emergence of large green leaves. This Magnolia is a large bush or small tree with a spreading habit and well-branched branches. It thrives in neutral to acidic, well-drained, slightly moist soil, in sunny or semi-shaded positions. It is resistant to cold, but the wind can damage its magnificent flowering.

The Magnolia gave its name to the Magnoliaceae family, which has only one other genus, the tulip tree (Liriodendron). It is an ancient family in the history of plants, one of its peculiarities being that its sepals and petals are relatively similar in appearance (and for this reason called "tepals"). This particularity is particularly interesting from an aesthetic point of view, as these floral appendages are of great beauty in this small botanical family.
The species Magnolia denudata, so named because the flowers appear on the bare wood, before the appearance of the leaves, is native to China. Rare as a species, it is one of the two parents of Magnolia x soulangeana and its many cultivars, which are well represented in our parks and gardens.

This cultivar 'Festirose' was selected in the Angevine region for its original flowers. Indeed, while the original species displays large pure white flowers, those of 'Festirose' have a delicate soft pink colour that easily identifies this variety. In late winter, the floral buds covered with gray fuzz announce the upcoming flowering in March or April. Large tulip-shaped flowers then appear on the bare wood, standing out well against the grayish wood and forming an unforgettable spectacle. This dazzling flowering precedes the emergence of large oval leaves, of medium green colour.
This large bush blooms from a young age and has a moderate growth rate, with a spreading habit and relatively dense branching. An adult plant will reach about 4 m (13 ft 1 in) in height and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in spread. It requires no pruning unless a branch needs to be shortened. It is resistant to approximately -20 °C, but it is preferable to plant it in a sheltered location to preserve its beautiful flowering.

This beautiful Magnolia Festirose with its romantic appearance will create beautiful mixed borders alongside plants with similar requirements, such as the Hydrangea macrophylla Tricolor, a decorative variegated foliage hydrangea throughout the season and with late flowering until autumn, thus forming an interesting landscape scene for much of the year. A Skimmia japonica Rubella will intercalate its red-pink flowering between the previous two, as well as persistent winter flowering. An Oxydendron arboreum, or Tree Andromeda, will complete this beautiful picture with its delicate summer flowering in clusters of small white bells, and especially the flamboyant autumn coloration of its foliage.