Why are my flowers turning brown?

This is usually caused by a late spring frost hitting the open blooms.

Does it need pruning?

Only prune to remove dead or crossing branches immediately after flowering.

Plant guide

Saucer magnolia.

Magnolia soulangeana

Pronounced mag-NO-lee-uh soo-lan-jee-AH-nuh

Also known as Chinese magnolia, Tulip Magnolia, saucer magnolia

The saucer magnolia is a stunning deciduous tree known for its massive, cup shaped flowers that bloom before the leaves emerge in spring. It is a hybrid between two Asian species and serves as a beautiful focal point in many gardens. You will love how its early blooms signal the arrival of warmer weather.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous flowering tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot that gets plenty of sun but is protected from harsh winds to keep the blooms intact. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or scale insects, which can occasionally bother the foliage. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist, especially during its first few years in your garden.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune immediately after flowering finishes to shape the tree and remove dead wood.
Repotting: Repot young trees every few years if they are container grown, though they prefer being planted in the ground.
Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Water draining through too quickly
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion of any part can cause mild gastrointestinal distress.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The large, fleshy petals are a potential choking hazard if a small child attempts to eat them.
Contact allergens: Handling the bark or leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger mild seasonal allergies in some people.
Edibility: The flowers and foliage are not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Large cup shaped spring flowers
Smooth gray bark on branches
Deciduous broad green leaves
Flowers appear before foliage

Height: 4.5 to 7.5m
Spread: 4.5 to 7.5m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, white, purple, 10 to 25cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, grafting
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. No special winter protection is needed for mature trees.
In containers: It is generally too large for long-term container growth, though young specimens can thrive in large tubs for several years.

Softwood Cuttings

1. Take 15cm cuttings in early summer.
2. Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a well-draining mix and keep humid until rooted.

Plant shallow-rooted perennials beneath the canopy to avoid disturbing the magnolia's sensitive root system.

Grows well with

Hosta — They thrive in the dappled shade provided by the magnolia canopy.
Bleeding Heart — These perennials bloom at the same time and enjoy similar soil conditions.

Similar species

Star Magnolia — A smaller, more compact relative with star-shaped flowers.
Lily Magnolia — One of the parent species with darker, more upright blooms.

Science

Family: Magnoliaceae
Genus: Magnolia
Order: Magnoliales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Garden hybrid of Asian parentage.
Conservation: This is a cultivated hybrid and is not of conservation concern in the wild.

It is a garden hybrid that relies on beetles for pollination in its native-like temperate settings.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ornamental specimen, spring focal point

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my flowers turning brown?: This is usually caused by a late spring frost hitting the open blooms.
Does it need pruning?: Only prune to remove dead or crossing branches immediately after flowering.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors French botanist Pierre Magnol, while the species name commemorates Etienne Soulange-Bodin.

Good to know

It is often called the saucer magnolia due to the shape of its blooms.
The flowers appear on bare branches before the leaves emerge.
It is a cross between M. denudata and M. liliiflora.

Keep your saucer magnolia growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.