Magnolia soulangeana Cameo

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Cameo' is a brand new variety of Magnolia Soulangeana that is quite fabulous, and its flowering will be much anticipated every year. This amazing bush is remarkably floriferous from a young age, with unique flowering and a compact habit perfectly suited for small spaces. It is covered in late winter or early spring, before the foliage appears, with sculptural flowers, beautifully bicolored, with a warm purple-pink color on the outside and a white-pink color on the inside. This variety, destined for a bright future, is a true treasure for the garden or terrace!

The 'Cameo' Magnolia, recently obtained in the Netherlands, belongs to the magnolia family. It is derived from M. x soulangeana, a French horticultural creation from the 19th century that is still highly appreciated for its ease of cultivation and its floriferous nature. This upright small tree with a compact rounded shape, taller than it is wide, measures 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) in height at maturity and has a width of 1.5 meters (5 feet). Presenting a bushy habit with beautiful and well-balanced branches, it can also grow on a single trunk. Its deciduous foliage is made up of obovate leaves, dark green on the top side and paler and finely villous on the underside, turning yellow-brown in autumn, measuring 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) in length. From March to April, depending on the climate, numerous solitary, bicolored and slightly fragrant flowers appear, in the shape of cups or tulips, before and after the leaves emerge. They are uniquely arranged, with their petals overlapping like those of a rose. The harmony of colors between the purple-pink on the outside and the veined white-pink on the inside is remarkable. These erect flowers are formed of 8 tepals (undifferentiated sepals and petals) which are waxy and thick, opening slowly, with numerous pink-brown stamens. After flowering, brown fruits containing red seeds appear.

This 'Cameo' Magnolia, not very large but with remarkable flowering is perfect for small spaces, including the terrace when planted in a large container. It should be planted in a rich, moist, and well-drained soil that is low-alkaline to non-alkaline, in full sun or partial shade. Just make sure not to plant other plants within 1.5 meters (5 feet) of the Magnolia's trunk, as its roots do not tolerate competition. It is most often used as a solitary subject in the middle of a short grass meadow, alone or with ground cover plants at its base, where its remarkable flowering is most effective. It can be integrated into an ericaceous bed, in a Japanese-style setting. It is also possible to create beautiful flowering hedges along pathways, alternating this Magnolia with other cultivars. The Soulange Magnolia is one of the ornamental trees that best withstands atmospheric pollution.