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Magnolia Rustica Rubra was created from the successful crossing of saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana) around the 19th century, Magnolia Rustica Rubra, or just Rubra is a deciduous small tree or large shrub characterised by its spreading habit.
This plant also has beautifully scented flowers that can either be saucer- or goblet-shaped with a white interior and bright purplish-red exterior – this colour combination adds to the beauty of your garden.
But that’s not all.
The leaves of the Rustica Rubra are dark green, simple, and alternate. Plus, they appear just after the flowers open.
Also, the flower buds of this plant are fuzzy and large and don’t appear until late summer. Even more, blooming starts when the plant is about 6-8 years old – from there on, it blooms profusely each year.
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How to grow Magnolia Rustica Rubra
To successfully grow Magnolia Rustica Rubra, you need a humus-rich, well-drained but moist, neutral to acid soil. Also, you need to place it in part shade or full sun, as well as shelter from strong cold winds – its flower buds can get damaged by late frosts.
More so, to propagate this plant, you need semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or softwood cuttings in early summer.
Also, the plant needs little care, so you should remove dead wood after it starts flowering. You can also prune damaged or dead branches once it’s midsummer – this encourages healthy and bushy growth.
Where should I position Magnolia Rustica Rubra in my garden?
Magnolia Rustica Rubra can reach heights of 8m and spread for about 8m, as well. So, you want to first find it a spot where it will stay put permanently – it doesn’t like transplanting.
Also, since it makes shallow roots that reach well over its spread, avoid messing about or digging around the roots – this can disturb the roots which affects its growth.
You can use bark mulch to cover the soil. Plus, make sure you don’t plant anything else around it until maybe after its second year. Having other plants around it can damage its top roots that absorb nutrients and moisture from the soil.
Where can I buy Magnolia Rustica Rubra or find for sale in the UK?
Have a look here at this UK based supplier
