Magnolia kobus seeds

Magnolia kobus is a charming deciduous species from the Far East, forming a large shrub, or sometimes a small tree, initially pyramidal in shape, then with a more open habit. Early in spring, it produces beautiful white flowers before the leaves, creating a striking focal point in the garden. These are followed by pinkish fruits, which are equally decorative. They contain red seeds, which can be propagated. This species has the valuable characteristic of tolerating chalky soils, and as this Magnolia is also very hardy, it can be planted in almost any garden.

Magnolia is the main genus of the Magnoliaceae family, which has only one other member, Liriodendron, or Tulip Tree, a very beautiful tree with tulip-like flowers. There are over a hundred species of Magnolias, trees and shrubs of very ancient origin in the evolutionary history of plants, as evidenced by their primitive flowers composed of tepals: sepals and petals look the same and are not differentiated as in more "modern" plants. This does not prevent them from being among the most beautiful flowering woody plants.
Magnolia kobus, or Kobushi Magnolia, is, as its name suggests, native to Japan (Kobe is a Japanese city near Kyoto, the former imperial capital). The species, with fairly rapid growth, usually develops as a large shrub, sometimes a small tree with a generally short trunk. In its early years, it adopts a more or less pyramidal habit or conical shape; then, as it ages, it rounds out, its silhouette spreading noticeably. It is fairly compact, reaching 8 to 12m in height at maturity, with a slightly smaller final spread. It often develops as a coppiced shrub, forming several trunks with dark grey-brown bark, which highlights the pale flowers beautifully. Appearing on the bare wood, well before the leaves, their whiteness, sometimes subtly tinged with pale pink, creates a lovely contrast with the dark bark. The six long petals form star-shaped corollas about ten centimetres in diameter. The coppery-brown stamens surrounding the green pistil stand out at the centre, further enhancing the purity of the tepals. The deciduous foliage then appears, shortly before full flowering finishes. The elliptical to slightly obovate leaves, borne on short petioles, measure 6 to 18cm in length and 3 to 12cm in width. The leaves are a beautiful light to medium green, paler on the underside. In autumn, they tend to yellow before falling, but this colouring varies depending on the individual plant, especially those grown from seed, and on soil or climate conditions. Very ornamental fruits follow the flowers, their pinkish colour making them clearly visible among the light green foliage. They eventually open and disintegrate to release the red seeds, which remain suspended by a thread before finally falling to the ground to ensure the plant's survival.

A fine, large shrub that should be given enough space to allow it to flourish at maturity, Magnolia kobus is one of the most adaptable species. It is capable of thriving in heavy, clayey and chalky soils, tolerating pH levels of around 8 and harsh winter cold. Its growth may be slightly affected compared to better growing conditions, but it will be no less ornamental. In such conditions, you can create a beautiful late-winter scene by planting it alongside a Cornus mas, the Cornelian Cherry, with even earlier yellow flowers from February, followed by highly decorative red fruits, and finishing the season with superb autumn colours. A few specimens of Rosa glauca, a botanical rose whose lovely bluish-purple foliage is enhanced by single pink flowers, will add a summer floral touch at their base.