Magnolia x brooklynensis Black Beauty

Magnolia brooklynensis 'Black Beauty' is part of an amazing series of hybrids developed at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the U.S.A. Still relatively rare, this variety is one of the darkest and most contrasting, with its large, upright lily-shaped flowers, a very dark violet almost black, revealing a white-cream interior. They appear quite late in spring, dotting a foliage of light and shiny green. This new magnolia of beautiful stature will delight enthusiasts and collectors of rare and original varieties. Give it moist, preferably neutral or acidic, soil and a sunny or semi-shaded exposure. 

The 'Black Beauty' Magnolia belongs to the magnolia family, it is the result of the hybridization of the Magnolia acuminata and the M. liliiflora. 'Black Beauty' forms a large conical-shaped bush, taller than wide, measuring on average 7 m (23 ft) in height, with a width of 5 metres (16 feet 5 inches). Rapid growth during the early years, slows down to the point of appearing to stagnate. Its deciduous foliage consists of large light green, shiny leaves, with a paler and finely hairy underside. From May to June large solitary and upright flowers bloom like tulip-shaped lilies among the leaves, measuring 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) high. The buds that precede flowering are protected by silky, grey-purple bracts. They release very dark purple buds that then open into waxy and thick, concave 6-petal flowers. Their outer surface is a mix of purple and violet with mauve and lilac highlights, while their inner surface is white-cream. They gradually open into a gaping cup around a heart revealing numerous orange stamens.

An ornamental small tree par excellence, 'Black Beauty' will work both in a medium-sized garden and in a large park. It is most often used as a solitary subject in the middle of a lawn or in front of the house, where its remarkable flowering is always perceived as a miraculous event. It can be advantageously associated with a group of bushes which are interesting at other times of the year, such as a Japanese maple, a Hibiscus syriacus, a Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis', or even a Cornus kousa 'Satomi'. It also blends well with ericaceous plants (Rhododendrons, Camellias, Nandinias, Peonies, etc.). It is also possible to create beautiful flowered hedges along paths, alternating this Magnolia with other cultivars. Its root system is not dangerous to foundations, so it can be installed against a house wall.