I’ve come across a variety of magnolia online called Rose Marie Magnolia. The website says it blooms for 6 weeks instead of the usual 2 weeks of other magnolias. Have you heard of this type? Can it grow in Toronto-Vaughan weather? If it can bloom for 6 weeks instead of 2 weeks I wonder why there isn’t more info online about it and why it is difficult to find. Shouldn’t it be very popular if it blooms that long? I’m debating between getting a saucer magnolia tree or trying to find a rose marie magnolia tree. Is it true that a saucer magnolia only blooms for 2 weeks in Toronto? Any thoughts on the rose marie magnolia?
The hybrid Magnolia ‘Rose Marie’, with its pink, lemony scented blooms is a lovely specimen. This tree is hardy to Canadian Zone 6b which means that it should survive temperatures of -20.6 degrees C (Toronto is generally considered to be zone 6). With this in mind, please think about your own garden location with regards to: Which way does the garden face (N,S,E,W)? What is the wind exposure like – is it open to cold north winds or is it protected/sheltered? The answers to these two questions are important for plant survival as ‘wind chill’ and the ‘freeze thaw cycle’ can be devastating to plants in our gardens and wreak havoc with magnolia flower buds.
This Magnolia does have some growing requirements which you should take into consideration before making a purchase. It favors a slightly acidic soil that is fairly free draining as magnolias generally hate having their roots in standing water so a heavy clay soil may be a challenge for it. Also, these trees/shrubs do best in a sunny to partial shade location. It can be quite intolerant of urban pollution so is more suited to a rear garden rather than streetside. Be aware that if left to grow unpruned, it will reach 20 feet in height and 10 feet in width at maturity so choose your planting spot carefully with these measurements in mind.
With regards to this particular plants blooming longevity (up to 6 weeks rather than 2 weeks), the word ‘hybrid’ is important. It has been bread for longer and slightly later blooming than other magnolias. The later blooming time enables it to avoid the last frosts of winter, therefore maintaining its flowers for longer.
If you want to give this tree a try, I would suggest you contact your local nursery to see if they will be getting any into stock for the spring market and if not, they may be able to order one specially for you.
Hope this helps.