Magnolia x brooklynensis Yellow Bird

Magnolia brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird' offers cup-shaped flowers in true narcissus-yellow, and is distinguished by excellent hardiness, a quality rarely observed in yellow-flowering varieties. It is part of an astonishing series of hybrids developed in the USA, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Its cup-shaped flowers, whose curves resemble those of certain tulips,  typically appear in early May, at the same time as the leaves, and sometimes again in summer depending on the growing conditions. With a beautiful stature, an elegant pyramidal habit, and an unusual flowering, it will become the star of the garden in spring. Give it a moist, preferably neutral or acidic soil, and a sunny or semi-shaded exposure. 

Magnolia 'Yellow Bird', introduced in the USA in 1981, belongs to the Magnolia family, and is the result of hybridisation between Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata and M. x brooklynensis 'Eva Maria'. 'Yellow Bird' quickly forms a large bush or a small conical tree, taller than wide, reaching an average height of 8 m (26 ft) at maturity, with a width of 4 m (13 ft). Rapid during the first years, growth then slows down somewhat. Its deciduous foliage consists of large, fairly dark green, satin leaves, with a paler and finely villous underside. In early May, at the same time as the leaves develop, solitary and erect flowers of true yellow colour appear. These are cup-shaped, tall and wide, about 7 to 8 cm (2.8 to 3.1 in) in size. The buds preceding the flowers are protected by silky bracts. They release waxy and thick flowers with 6 tepals (undifferentiated sepals and petals) that are almost flat. They gradually open into an open cup around an exposed heart, revealing numerous stamens.

An outstanding spring tree, 'Yellow Bird' will work wonders in both a medium-sized garden and a large park. It is most often used as a solitary subject in the middle of a short grass meadow or in front of the house, where its remarkable flowering is always perceived as a miraculous event. It can be successfully combined with a field of interesting shrubs at other times of the year, such as a Japanese maple, an Anemone tree, a Prunus x subhirtella 'Autumnalis', or even a Cornus kousa 'Satomi'. It also pairs well with acid-loving plants (Rhododendrons, Camellias, Pieris, Hamamelis, etc.). Additionally, it is possible to create beautiful flowering hedges along paths, alternating this Magnolia with other cultivars, for example. Its root system is not dangerous to building foundations, so it can be installed against a house wall.