Magnolia soulangeana Rustica Rubra

The Magnolia x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra' is a small tree or large shrub with vibrant, early flowers. A classic in our gardens, it has large rose-purple cup-shaped flowers with a lighter centre, unfolding like tulips before the first leaves appear. Hardy and undemanding, it will thrive in any soil that is well-drained, not too chalky and sheltered from cold winds.

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra', sometimes also known as 'Rubra', belongs to the ancient Magnoliaceae family, mainly found in East Asia. It was derived from the M. x soulangeana 'Lennei' in Boskoop in 1893. The first Magnolia x soulangeana themselves are the result of a cross carried out in France by Étienne Soulange between the Magnolia denudata, a tree with pure white flowers, and the Magnolia liliiflora, a bush with purple flowers, in the first half of the 19th century. The resulting hybrids have intermediate characteristics: slow growth, a more modest size and flowers of varying shades of dark pink.

The Magnolia x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra' is, therefore, a descendant of these first hybrids. It is a particularly popular and attractive variety, combining a fairly modest size (about 4.50 m (15ft) high and 3.50 m (11.5ft) spread after more than 10 years), a bushy, branching habit, and, above all, generous, early flowers from the end of March, on bare branches: the semi-double flowers, in  tulip-like cups of 13 cm (5.1 in), emerge from purple buds, then open to a deep pink with numerous petals. The centre, protecting the pretty cluster of golden stamens, is a much paler pinkish white, offering a striking contrast. The oval, soft green leaves appear afterwards. A few flowers may appear sporadically over the following months.

Hardy and long-lasting, the Magnolia x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra' is undemanding: plant it in deep and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. In very chalky soil, the foliage may develop chlorosis and turn yellow. In this case, it is useful to add ericaceous soil or simply compost to the surface to improve the ground. It thrives in light shade or moderate sunlight, but dense shade will prevent it from flowering properly. The only real difficulty is finding a location sheltered from cold winds and late frosts, which can damage or even destroy the delicate flowers and young foliage. Pruning is optional for this variety, except to remove unsightly, poorly placed, or dead branches. Take care, however, to remove them when they are still small in diameter, as large cuts weaken the plant.

The Magnolia 'Rustica Rubra' is striking enough to deserve a place as a free-standing specimen, in the middle of a lawn or a flower bed, but its compactness means it can also be combined with other shrubs or group of small trees, such as the Acer palmatum Atropurpureum and the Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic'.