Magnolia grandiflora Purpan

Magnolia grandiflora 'Purpan', derived from a unique subject considered one of the most remarkable specimens in Europe, is a highly desirable selection of the summer magnolia with large flowers. With a narrow and conical habit, this vigorous magnolia flowers, unlike the species type, well before its tenth anniversary, and abundantly. Adorned throughout the year with large, dark green and slightly undulate leaves, it offers sublime flowers in summer for almost three months, resembling large cream-white tulips, extremely fragrant.

Native to the Southeastern United States, Magnolia grandiflora, also known as Southern Magnolia, thrives in light, heat, humidity, and rich, deep soils. Its range extends from Texas to Virginia, passing through the northern and central parts of Florida.

'Purpan' comes from a unique subject, planted many years ago at the Purpan Agricultural School in Toulouse. It is characterized by its vigour, narrow and dense pyramidal habit, rapid flowering, and floriferousness. This tree will ultimately reach a height of about 13.50 m (44 ft) with a spread of 5 to 6 m (16.5 - 19 ft). Its growth is quite slow. Flowering mainly occurs in summer, from June to August-September (in the southeastern United States, flowering begins in late April and ends in July). The large solitary flowers, resembling tulips 15 to 25 cm (5.9 - 9.8 in) in diameter, are composed of thick petals, creamy white, open around a pink cone covered with yellow stamens. Each flower only lasts one day on the tree, but they are continuously renewed. The flowers are particularly fragrant. They are followed by the formation of large reddish cones, quite decorative, revealing red seeds. The evergreen leaves, arranged alternately on the branches, are simple, entire, thick, and leathery, measuring 15-20 cm (5.9 - 7.9 in) in length. They are dark green and glossy on the upper surface, rusty on the underside. In 'Purpan', they are slightly undulate.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Purpan' is primarily used as a solitary tree in a medium-sized garden, but also as a street tree alongside a larger property. Choose a strategic location in the garden to be able to admire this tree, perhaps the most beautiful of all evergreens, and thus enjoy its magnificent lemon-scented blooms. It could be associated, for example, with another large deciduous and spring-flowering variety, such as Magnolia soulangeana.