What Is a Jane Magnolia?

Jane magnolia has a spikier flower than most round petaled blooms.

The Jane magnolia has a rather interesting history. It was bred by scientists at the United States National Arboretum as part of a group of magnolias. The group was called "Little Girls" and each tree was named after a wife, daughter or female family member of the breeders. The series is commonly called the Eight Little Girls and was the work of hybridizing. The primary breeders were Dr. Francis DeVos and William Kosar.

Breeding

The Little Girls were bred in the 1950s as part of a hybrid program to eliminate disease problems in popular magnolia cultivars. The series blooms two to four weeks later than the parent plants which reduces the chance of late spring frost damage. Occasionally, Jane will produce a scattering of summer flowers as an extra bonus. The trees are the results of various crosses with different varieties of M. liliflora Nigra and M. stellata Rosea. The resulting trees are all sterile productions.

Identification

Jane magnolia grows a tulip-shaped flower that is slender when compared to most magnolia blooms. It is a deep rich pinkish purple with a white center. The flowers open in late spring. This magnolia has a bushy habit but can be the height of a small tree at 10 to 15 feet. Jane is a multi-stemmed plant with good cold hardiness. It is recommended for USDA zones 3 through 8. Jane magnolia has the characteristic leathery leaves of the type but they are slightly slimmer than most magnolia foliage.

Situation

Jane magnolia can perform well in full sun to partial shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade are ideal conditions. The soil must be well drained and moist. Jane magnolia can be used as a specimen plant in the ground or in large containers. Jane requires good air circulation and will do best if planted without competing trees crowding it. Flowering will be negatively influenced if Jane magnolia is grown in a full shade situation with overly soggy soil.

Significance

The use of M. liliflora Nigra as a cross for the series was spurred by its hardiness and late blooming habit. M. stellata Rosea was introduced as part of the breed because of the rich scent of its flowers and the sheer number of blooms it produced. Rosea is also mildew resistant, an attribute it passed onto the Little Girls. These magnolias cannot be reproduced from seed but can be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings under mist. The resulting cultivars combine the best attributes of both parents. Jane magnolia is an excellent small magnolia for the home landscape.

References

• The United States National Arboretum: Magnolia-The Girls
• Harvard University Arnoldia Arboretum: Magnolias at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College; Andrew Bunting
• Arbor Day Foundation: Magnolia, Jane