In 1955 and 1956 several crosses between m.liliflora and m.stellata were made at the U.S. National Arboretum by William F. Kosar and Dr. Francis de Vos. These selections bloom two-four weeks later than other spring blooming magnolias, reducing the possibility of frost damage to minimum. Betty’s flowers are deep purple outside and almost white inside, there are up to 19 narrow, long petals which in full bloom open like a star as much as 20 cm wide with strong citrus scent. It has attractive bright green foliage, some of which often turns coppery red in the summer.
Flowers already when young. It does not require pruning at all. As it has flower buds at the ends of last-year’s branches should you need to cut something off do it immediately after flowering in the spring. It does not like re-planting from ground to ground as it takes 1 or even 2 years to re-establish, and in the meanwhile producing inferior foliage and minimum flowers. Choose your container-grown magnolia a perfect location in which you will leave it forever and ever. Needs a warm, sunny spot, a lot of moisture and acidic soil. Fully hardy.
Magnolia 'Betty' - girl magnolia
