Plant breeders have long overlooked evergreen magnolia species (and other evergreen Genera in the Magnoliaceae). This remarkable group of plants offers a wide range of hardiness, plant size and growth habit, leave form, flower size and flower fragrance. Flower color has been basically only white (with a very few pink selections in Genera other than Magnolia).

Hardiness ranges from a limited number of plants that will survive zone 5 all the way to plants that are tropical zone 10 hardy. The primary problem with evergreen magnolias has always been cold hardiness. The large evergreen leaves are extremely susceptible to desiccation during the winter. There are a few selections of Magnolia grandiflora and Magnolia virginiana that have done fairly well in zone 5a climates. These same species also extend at least into zone 9. These two species will be the focus on breeding for more cold hardy evergreen Magnoliaceae.

Plant size and growth habit is extremely variable within the evergreen members of the Magnoliaceae. Plants like Magnolia grandiflora can easily grow to be 60 feet tall with equal or greater spread. I know of a single plant in southern Georgia that is over 100 feet wide! Smaller members of this family are small shrubs. Growth habit can range from wide spreading to narrowly upright. Mangletia yunnanensis has a very upright, formal growth habit and appears to be an ideal candidate for breeding. I have been successful in crossing Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ with this species. The reciprocal cross has not been successful. I have tried crossing many evergreen and deciduous species onto Mangletia yunn. and to date have been able to produce no viable seeds.

Leaf form varies widely within the evergreen members of the Magnoliaceae. The largest leaf forms would be found on Magnolia delavyii or Magnolia grandiflora, with leaves often over 12 inches in length and over 5 inches wide. Some of the smaller leaves can be found on Michellia species. Michellia figo has leaves usually 2 inches long and 1 inch wide. Extremely long, narrow leaves are found within the Genus Magnetite. Magnetite yunnanensis has leaves 6 inches long and ½ inch wide. Some species have leaves that are extremely glossy on the upper surface (Magnolia grandiflora), and others have leaves with very dull, matte surfaces (Magnolia guatamalensis and several other subtropical species). Some species have extremely heavy indentatum on the lower surface of the leaves (Mag. grandiflora) and some species have a white or silvery lower leaf surface (Mag. virginia).

Flower size ranges from extremely large blooms over 15 inches wide (Magnolia delavyii and Mag. grandiflora), to very small flowers less than 1 inch wide (Michellia figo). Fragrance can range from overpowering musty smells to sweet tropical fruit smells. Most evergreen members of the Magnoliaceae do have a distinct smell. Flower color is basically an off white or cream color. As flowers age they often develop a yellow cast to them. Yellow (often with green or purple undertones) flower color can be found in Michellia figo. Rare pink flowers can be found in Magnolia virginiana and Michellia affinis. A red flowered form of Magnolia delayvii has been reported. I am planning on working with Magnolia virginiana and Magnolia delayvii to bring pink flower color into other species of evergreen Magnoliaceae.

1. Develop cold hardy Magnolia grandiflora cultivars (hardy into zone 4b?).
2. Develop large pink/red flowering evergreen magnolias that are hardy to at least zone 7b. This may be difficult since Magnolia delayvii "red flowered form" is a zone 9 plant.
3. Develop improved growth habit and flowering characteristics. I would like to develop hybrids with Magnolia grandiflora and other species (both evergreen and deciduous) that have bright red stamens.
4. This maybe should be listed under "delusions of grandeur for the future", but I hope to cross evergreen Magnoliaceae with the magnolia vine (Scasandra species). The goal here would be to develop an evergreen, large flowered (maybe even with pink flowers!), vining magnolia! One can only dream!
5. Under the same category above: I hope to cross Liriodendron tulipifera into Magnolia. The dream is to bring in the orange flower color found in Liriodendron into the rest of the magnolia family. This will be attempted with both evergreen and deciduous species of magnolia.

This will be more work than I can hope to accomplish within my lifetime; however, this is a passion that I have developed (especially after having the honor to work with August Kehr of Hendersonville, NC) and I’m sure it will be a lot of fun!

I would love to hear if you have any comments or ideas on breeding projects or if you know of any Magnolia grandiflora that are growing in zone 5 or colder.