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Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel'

Leonard Messel Magnolia

Magnoliaceae

Garden hybrid (M. kobus × M. stellata; raised at Nymans Garden, Sussex, England; named after Colonel Leonard Messel)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' is a small to medium, deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub reaching 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) tall with a spread of 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) and a rounded to broadly spreading crown. This hybrid of M. kobus × M. stellata, raised at Nymans Garden in Sussex, England, produces star-shaped to loosely cup-shaped flowers 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) across with 10–15 narrow, strap-shaped tepals. The tepals are lilac-pink on the exterior (deeper than most × loebneri cultivars) and white to pale pink within. Flowers appear on bare or nearly bare branches in March–April, slightly later than M. stellata. The alternate, obovate leaves are 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long, medium green. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 4, inheriting the cold hardiness of M. kobus. The multi-stemmed habit is natural but can be trained to a single trunk.

Native Range

Magnolia x loebneri is a garden hybrid of M. kobus (native to Japan and Korea) × M. stellata (native to Japan). 'Leonard Messel' was raised at Nymans Garden, Sussex, England, named after Colonel Leonard Messel.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen in residential gardens and mixed borders at 15–18 foot (4.5–5.5 m) spacing. The lilac-pink flowers are the deepest pink of commonly grown × loebneri cultivars. The compact 15–25 foot size and zone 4 hardiness suit small to medium gardens in cold climates. Can be grown as either a multi-stemmed shrub or single-trunk tree. The star-shaped flowers are smaller (3–4 inches) than cup-shaped magnolias like × soulangeana. Not suitable for alkaline soils, drought-prone sites, or frost pockets where early bloom is damaged.

How to Identify

Distinguished from M. stellata by the larger tree size (15–25 feet versus 10–20 feet), the fewer tepals (10–15 versus 12–18), and the lilac-pink (versus white or pale pink) exterior color. Distinguished from other M. x loebneri cultivars (such as 'Merrill') by the lilac-pink (versus pure white) exterior color—the deepest pink of commonly grown × loebneri selections. Distinguished from M. x soulangeana by the narrower, more strap-shaped tepals, the star-shaped flower form, and the smaller size. The small tree with star-shaped lilac-pink and white flowers on bare spring branches is diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'

Width/Spread15' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Star-shaped to loosely cup-shaped flowers 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) across with 10–15 narrow, strap-shaped tepals, lilac-pink exterior and white to pale pink interior, on bare or nearly bare branches in March–April. Light fragrance. Bloom duration is 2–3 weeks. Slightly later bloom than M. stellata. Susceptible to late frost damage.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Lilac-pink exterior (deepest pink of × loebneri cultivars), white to pale pink interior; star-shaped 3-4 inches; 10-15 strap-shaped tepals

Foliage Description

Medium green; alternate obovate 3-5 inches

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0–7.0). Hardy to zone 4. Tolerates a wider range of soils than most magnolias, including slightly alkaline conditions. Mulch the root zone. Transplant balled-and-burlapped or container-grown in spring. Can be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub or trained to a single trunk. Moderate growth rate. No significant pest or disease problems.

Pruning

Prune in late spring after flowering if needed. To maintain as a single-trunk tree, remove competing leaders and basal suckers while young. The multi-stemmed form is natural and requires minimal pruning—remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning.

Pruning Schedule

late spring