Magnolia × loebneri

Magnolia × loebneri Kache[1] is a hybrid of two Magnolia species, the Japanese Magnolia kobus and M. stellata.[2] crossed by Garteninspektor Max Löbner of Pillnitz, Germany, shortly before World War I;[3] it first flowered in 1917.[4] The deciduous, elegant[5] and compact multi-stemmed small flowering tree or large shrub, slowly attaining a height of 20 ft (6.1 m) and somewhat wider at maturity, is hardy to USDA Zone 4.[6] Its fragrant late flowers, following its stellata parent by a couple of weeks, escape unexpected late spring frosts, but appear on the bare branches, to great effect. The deep pink buds open in informal strap-like tepals with pale shell pink upper surfaces and darker pink-purple lower ones. Like most magnolias, it thrives best on acid soils.

Magnolia × loebneri
Flowers of Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel' at Burcina Park, Biella, Italy
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Magnoliaceae
Genus: Magnolia
Subgenus: Magnolia subg. Yulania
Section: Magnolia sect. Yulania
Subsection: Magnolia subsect. Yulania
Species:
M. × loebneri
Binomial name
Magnolia × loebneri
Kache

The selection, 'Leonard Messel' was a chance hybrid that was developed at Messel's garden in Sussex, Nymans. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] Also on the market are white 'Ballerina' and the late-flowering white 'Merrill' that extend the loebneri season.

  • Flower of Magnolia × loebneri
  • Pink-flowered plant of Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel' at Burcina Park, Biella, Italy
  • Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' flower detail
  • Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' flower
  • Magnolia × loebneri 'Merrill' immature fruit

References
  1. Kache designated the new hybrid in 1920, to honour Max Löbner.
  2. "In every way similar to M. stellata": Ben Blackburn, "A promising hybrid magnolia", New York Botanical Garden Journal (1951:43ff).
  3. Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (1983).
  4. Oregon State University: Magnolia × loebneri.
  5. "Elegant": Robin Lane Fox, Thoughtful Gardening (2010:92); "perhaps the finest of all the magnolias": Frances Tenenbaum, Taylor's 50 Best Trees(1999:65).
  6. It "has performed well in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, according to Melinda Myers, Minnesota Gardener's Guide, (2005:213).
  7. "Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel'". Royal Horticultural Society. 2017. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
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