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Magnolia 'Spectrum'

Magnolia 'Spectrum'

Spectrum hybrid magnolia

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Description

Magnolia ‘Spectrum’ (Spectrum hybrid magnolia) was marketed by the National Arboretum in Washington D.C., United States in 1963, by crossing Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’. The same hybrid also produced Magnolia ‘Galaxy’. Spectrum hybrid magnolia – commonly referred to as tulip tree 'Spectrum' – has a wide growth with a continuous rachis. It is thus also a tree-forming magnolia up to 8 metres tall, with an upright crown in its youth and an oval crown up to 6 metres wide later on.

At a young age, Spectrum hybrid magnolia abundantly blooms large, upright, tulip-shaped flowers. They have striking colours: violet-red outside and light pink with dark veins inside. The flowers are rarely damaged by frost. The ‘Spectrum’ has somewhat lighter and larger flowers than the ‘Galaxy’ selection. The obovate, entire leaves bud bronze-green, turn green in summer and yellow-brown to dark yellow in autumn. Magnolia ‘Spectrum’ has smooth, grey bark and brown to red-brown twigs. The tree rarely bears fruit.

Spectrum hybrid magnolia is perfect for planting in parks and large and small gardens. But the cultivar can also be used in more urban locations, like in semi-paved areas or in central reservations of (narrow) streets and avenues, because the Spectrum is also a suitable standard tree as it forms a good trunk. The selection does not like wind and favours a sheltered, sunny environment in moist, nutrient-rich soil, though it can also tolerate relatively poor soil. The ‘Spectrum’ will tolerate a warmer environment better than the ‘Galaxy’ cultivar. Magnolia ‘Spectrum’ has an elaborate, deep and fleshy root system. Therefore, plant the tree early in autumn or late in spring for faster root recovery.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees

Use

Location

street avenue park central reservation large garden small garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none none open open

Characteristics

Crown shape

wide oval wide oval

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

6 - 8 m

Width

4 - 6 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist wet

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral
5.2 - 7.8

Extreme environments

tolerates air pollution

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Magnolia 'Spectrum'? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Magnolia 'Spectrum' standard tree
feathered feathered
Magnolia 'Spectrum' feathered
feathered feathered
Magnolia 'Spectrum' feathered
feathered feathered
Magnolia 'Spectrum' feathered
flowers flowers
Magnolia 'Spectrum' flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia 'Spectrum' flowers
flowers flowers
Magnolia 'Spectrum' flowers
leaves leaves
Magnolia 'Spectrum' leaves
bark bark
Magnolia 'Spectrum' bark
bark bark
Magnolia 'Spectrum' bark

Seasonal colours

Magnolia 'Spectrum' seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

striking standing singular big weakly scented

Flower colour

pale pink red-violet violet

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze green

Leaves

deciduous obovate ovoid big polished

Autumn colour

yellow-brown dark yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

pink

Fruits

striking rarely fruits

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

brown red-brown

Twigs

bare vertical branches

Root system

Root system

deep extensive fleshy roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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