It's been a while since my last magnolia post which really indicates the lull in interest after the flowering has finished.
As the leaves become thicker and more leathery under the canopy darkens which is why I tend to grow spring flowering or woodland plants there as they can cope with the dense shade.
The birds seem to appreciate the cover provided when visiting the feeding areas but it does mean it is often too dark to photograph them.
I think the canopy gives the whole area a jungly feel Sue, I can see why the birds love this spot. Will the Honeysuckle and friends climbing through the tree eventually cause damage or is it big enough to cope? Good luck with those seeds
It really is a marvelous tree, I have just plated a tiny one, maybe down the line it'll begin to look like yours, give of take twenty years or so! Good luck with the competition!xxx
I hope that your little tree thrives, Snowbird and thanks for the good luck wish. I think the best I can hope or is third step on the podium and that is with an enormous amount of luck
I love magnolias, even when they're in leaf, the foliage is really nice. Mine is almost all dead I think. It was just a small one that was in a pot before. Something happened to it when I planted it out. It has one tiny green leaf on it. I have no idea why, it's disappointing. I seem to remember reading something about beetles pollinating magnolias a long time ago.
Nice to see your mature magnolia compared to my young one, which one is it you have, I think you have said before but I have forgotten? Mine also threw all the seedpods on the ground, but that happened much earlier, perhaps we need a second magnolia close by to get fruit on the trees? My ‘Heaven Scent’ will also produce a late summer flowering but I assume it will need to be more mature before I can expect that. It has however already buds for next spring formed, just like it did last summer.
I'm pretty sure it is soulangeana, Helene but not sure if it is a particular variety as it should have been a purple flowering type and was wrongly labelled, By the time it flowered it was an established plant. The seed pods were cast at the beginning of July and nest years buds are forming on ours too.
I love the contorted shapes of the branches Sue. I'vealways been put off the idea of growing climbers up deciduous trees as I fear it will look really untidy in winter, how do you find it?
The contortions are down to the tree being battered by builder's when it was very young, Janet. I was surprised it survived, To be honest I don't even notice the climbers in winter as the tree is so large. The clematis can be cut back hard and I only noticed the honeysuckle flower by chance - no doubt if it grew very vigorously it would have to be dealt with. None actually grow from the base of the tree but escape from the fence behind it.
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment - it is great to hear from you and know that there are people out there actually reading what I write! Come back soon. (By the way any comments just to promote a commercial site, or any comments not directly linked to the theme of my blog, will be deleted) I am getting quite a lot of spam. It is not published and is just deleted. I have stopped sifting through it and just delete any that ends up in my spam folder in one go so I am sorry if one of your messages is deleted accidentally. Comments to posts over five days old are all moderated.
It really does have a thick canopy, I bet the birds are thankful of a little protection whilst they feed in the rain.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it helps protect a little from sparrowhawk detection, Jo although we have seen one fly under it.
DeleteThose seed-pods actually look quite succulent! Are you sure they're not edible??
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Mark but I'm not trying one!
DeleteI think the canopy gives the whole area a jungly feel Sue, I can see why the birds love this spot. Will the Honeysuckle and friends climbing through the tree eventually cause damage or is it big enough to cope?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with those seeds
The tree can take it Angie. The climbers are tiny in comparison
DeleteIs it usual to have a second lot of flowers?
ReplyDeleteI seems to get a few late flowers every year Jessica
DeleteIt really is a marvelous tree, I have just plated a tiny one, maybe down the line it'll begin to look like yours, give of take twenty years or so! Good luck with the competition!xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope that your little tree thrives, Snowbird and thanks for the good luck wish. I think the best I can hope or is third step on the podium and that is with an enormous amount of luck
DeleteI love magnolias, even when they're in leaf, the foliage is really nice. Mine is almost all dead I think. It was just a small one that was in a pot before. Something happened to it when I planted it out. It has one tiny green leaf on it. I have no idea why, it's disappointing. I seem to remember reading something about beetles pollinating magnolias a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I only just realised you were in a competition, I've just voted for you, good luck.
DeleteI hope your little tree rallies, CJ don't give up on it just yet.
DeleteThanks for the vote - O need as many as I can muster - the competition is very strong
Nice to see your mature magnolia compared to my young one, which one is it you have, I think you have said before but I have forgotten? Mine also threw all the seedpods on the ground, but that happened much earlier, perhaps we need a second magnolia close by to get fruit on the trees?
ReplyDeleteMy ‘Heaven Scent’ will also produce a late summer flowering but I assume it will need to be more mature before I can expect that. It has however already buds for next spring formed, just like it did last summer.
I'm pretty sure it is soulangeana, Helene but not sure if it is a particular variety as it should have been a purple flowering type and was wrongly labelled, By the time it flowered it was an established plant. The seed pods were cast at the beginning of July and nest years buds are forming on ours too.
DeleteI love the contorted shapes of the branches Sue. I'vealways been put off the idea of growing climbers up deciduous trees as I fear it will look really untidy in winter, how do you find it?
ReplyDeleteThe contortions are down to the tree being battered by builder's when it was very young, Janet. I was surprised it survived, To be honest I don't even notice the climbers in winter as the tree is so large. The clematis can be cut back hard and I only noticed the honeysuckle flower by chance - no doubt if it grew very vigorously it would have to be dealt with. None actually grow from the base of the tree but escape from the fence behind it.
DeleteThe magnolia provides a good canopy, and provides interest in the garden. And the flowers are wonderful in bloom. Good luck with the competition.
DeleteIt's a bit too wide a canopy now Kelli. As for the compeyition I'm just happy that so far I have a respectable showing
DeleteI tried to vote for you but it did not work (it said the site was not available).
ReplyDeleteThanks for trying Alain - it's the thought that counts :)
Delete