Magnolia × loebneri 'Leonard Messel'
Leonard Messel Loebner Magnolia

Magnolia × loebneri ′Leonard Messel′ - Bark

Family:

Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family) 26

Genus:

Magnolia (Magnolia Cucumber Tree Tree, Cucumber) 23

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 572

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 251

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 838

Flower Notes:

Pink (Large (4-6" across), fragrant, star-like purple-pink flowers with 12-15 tepals that are paler on the inside; early spring)

Foliage Notes:

Bronze (New leaves in spring); Green (Summer foliage); Yellow (Bronze-yellow fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

Red (Mature cone-like fruits that split to reveal red seeds; sometimes absent)

Ultimate Height:

15-20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

15-20 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Moist, well-drained soils with high organic matter

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (4-6" long and 1-2.25" wide) are alternate, simple and obovate with entire margins and a rounded apex. Both vegetative and flower buds are covered in silky pubescence. Stems are vertical lenticels and are fragrant when bruised. The purple-pink flower tepals are undulating and crinkled, and paler on the inside.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 355

Fragrant Flowers 188

Espalier 48

Patio Tree 128

Specimen 630

Additional Information

'Leonard Messel' is a small, rounded, vigorous tree that produces large, fragrant, purple-pink flowers in early spring. Although this cultivar has more frost-resistant flower buds, it is still wise to plant this tree in a protected location to prevent spring frosts from damaging the flowers.