The Exceptional Yellow Magnolias
The Yellow Magnolias Bred in Ossining, NY
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden introduced hybrid yellow-flowering magnolia trees to the world not so long ago. BBG launched the breeding program in 1953 at its Kitchawan Research Center, in Ossining, New York (the town next door to me). It was headed by a team of women including Dr. Evamaria Sperber, Doris Stone and Lola Koerting.
They bred eight magnolias there before the program shut down in 1991. These BBG beauties are still available today. They flower between mid-April and mid-May. Here are three well known Kitchawan varieties:
‘Elizabeth’ Magnolia
One of my favorites is Magnolia x ‘Elizabeth’ which was introduced in 1977. It is a cross between the native cucumber magnolia (M. acuminata), one of the cold-hardiest magnolias, and the Yulan magnolia (M. denudata). The latter has been cultivated in Chinese Buddhist temple gardens since 600 AD.
It is highly valued because it blooms before the leaves come out. This means the tapered, creamy-yellow flowers display elegantly on bare branches. The blooms appear later than other magnolias which helps it avoid damage from frost. It flowers about a week after the saucer magnolias and two or three weeks after the star magnolias.
‘Elizabeth’ is hardy in USDA zones 6 - 9. It grows to 25 feet tall with a similar spread.
The tree is named for Elizabeth Van Brunt (1893-1986) who was a well-known authority on old roses and herbs and was a benefactor of Brooklyn Botanic Garden. She and her sisters donated the 223-acre tract of land adjacent to the Croton Reservoir in Westchester County for BBG’s research facility. 'Elizabeth' was the first yellow magnolia to become popular and is one of the most well-known of the yellow magnolias.
The Royal Horticultural Society named the ‘Elizabeth’ Magnolia as a Plant of Garden Merit.
'Yellow Bird'Â Magnolia
Another stand out is the ‘Yellow Bird’ magnolia (Magnolia x Brooklynensis 'Yellow Bird'). It was introduced in 1981 and is a cross between the native cucumber magnolia (M. acuminata) and a hybrid of the small-statured Lily magnolia (M. liliiflora). The Lily magnolia is a small tree native to southwest China and cultivated for centuries in China and Japan.
‘Yellow Bird’ is considered one of the best of the yellow-flowered magnolias, flowering in late April or early May, generally missing late frosts. It is pyramidal, growing taller than wide. Ideal as a single front yard tree or planted in groups. Combine it with low hydrangeas, azaleas and native Itea ‘Little Henry’.
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
Magnolia ‘Butterflies’
One of the earliest yellow magnolias to flower. The deep canary yellow flowers have prominent red stamens. 'Butterflies' is hardy in zones 4 - 8. It is the hybrid of the cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and the Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata). The flowers resemble butterflies in flight.
The tree has an upright growth habit and develops a pyramid shape. Grows 25-30 ft tall - small tree or large shrub. ‘Butterflies’ is considered the finest of them all.
I planted a yellow ‘Elizabeth’ magnolia a while back and it has grown beautifully. Its branches spread out and we have uplights on it to show it off in all seasons. It can be seen across an expansive lawn, adding magic to a quiet corner of the property.
The cover of an issue of Garden Design Magazine several years ago featured a yellow magnolia blossom - that gorgeous photo made my heart skip a beat. You can go to the amazing Garden Design website for a wealth of information and inspiration. I heartily recommend it. Here is their intro to magnolias of all kinds - https://www.gardendesign.com/trees/magnolia.html
If you want to know more about the yellow magnolias of BBG, go here for an in depth post by Wayken Shaw https://www.bbg.org/news/eight_magnolia_hybrids_bred_by_brooklyn_botanic_garden
Beautiful! Have you used any of the three mentioned in your garden designs? Of the three, which is your favorite?