Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'
black lily magnolia
Overview
Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' grows as a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree, maturing at 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) tall and roughly equal in width, with an upright-rounded outline that broadens with age. The selection 'Nigra' was chosen for flower color: the outer tepals are deep reddish-purple, fading to a paler purple-pink on the inner face. Buds are narrow and upright, around 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, opening into goblet-shaped blooms 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) wide carried on bare stems. Flowering begins in mid to late spring, generally 2-3 weeks behind Magnolia stellata, which lowers the chance of frost catching open blooms; a lighter scattering of flowers continues into summer. The obovate leaves, 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) long and dark green, expand as flowering finishes. Growth is slow to moderate, reaching full size in 10-15 years. The fleshy, shallow root system is sensitive to disturbance and compaction, and the shrub sets little autumn color, turning a dull yellow-brown before leaf drop.
Native Range
Magnolia liliiflora originates in the mountain woodlands of southwestern China, in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hubei provinces. The cultivar 'Nigra' arose in cultivation and reached Western gardens by way of Japan in the late 1800s.Suggested Uses
Used as a flowering specimen, in shrub borders, or against a sheltered wall where the early blooms can be seen up close. Allow 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) of clearance from buildings and neighbors for the mature spread. It also grows in large containers of 20 gallons (76 L) or more, where its pace slows further.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 12'
Width/Spread8' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years
Bloom Information
Main flowering runs from mid-April into early May, trailing the star and saucer magnolias by two to three weeks. The display lasts about 2-3 weeks on bare wood, and a lighter scattering of blooms can appear through June and July on leafy shoots. Open flowers are vulnerable to late frosts, though the unopened buds usually escape damage.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Deep reddish-purple exterior, pinkish-purple interiorFoliage Description
Dark green, obovateGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in moist, humus-rich soil that drains freely, in full sun to light afternoon shade. Water through the first two summers, and during droughts lasting more than two weeks once established. Lay a 3-4 inch (8-10 cm) organic mulch over the root zone, held back from the trunk, to buffer the shallow roots. Set new plants in spring rather than autumn, since cold-season planting raises the risk of root injury. Magnolia scale and, in damp shade, leaf spot and powdery mildew are the usual problems; treat scale when crawlers emerge in late summer.Pruning
Keep pruning to a minimum and carry it out just after flowering, because next year's buds form on summer growth. Take out crossing, dead, or damaged wood, and remove basal suckers where a single trunk is wanted. Hold any one season's removal to about a quarter of the canopy, as large cuts on magnolias close slowly.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 20 gallons