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Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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Posted by
pteroceltis z5 Syracuse (
My Page) on
Sat, Feb 18, 12 at 23:05
| Greetings all,
I was wondering if anybody has information on or experience with Magnolia 'Fran Smith' offered by Broken Arrow Nursery. It appears to be a rare, variegated plant with an attractive color pattern. I can't find any information on it, not even from the Magnolia society. Broken Arrow does indicate that it is quite rare and little known. Does anybody know what species affiliation or ancestry it may have? How about cultural requirements? I've got a few spots with different soil types with which I can accommodate it, but at this point I have no means of knowing which is best. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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| did you note that BArrow lists it as z6???? ken |
RE: Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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| Not a problem, Ken. Despite what it says next to my screen name, we're a solid zone 6. Add to that some terrain-induced microclimates, and it's more like zone 7 where this plant will be going. Some folks around here are even supposedly growing Magnolia campbellii in sheltered spots! I have heard of a 40-50 year old M. campbellii, but have yet to see it with my own eyes. |
RE: Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Sun, Feb 19, 12 at 15:25
| Those would surely be misidentified, although varying in hardiness Campbell magnolia wouldn't be expected to vary that much. Even here in Zone 8, where although some big specimens have been grown cold damage and resulting losses is always lurking. You don't see it really looking at home out here until you go down to California. Same thing in Britain, although grown over a larger area the mildest gardens on the west coast are where the tree is a long-established, characteristic feature. Even there it getting hammered by spring frost is sometimes possible, the one time I was over there such a frost had occurred and I saw a long-established specimen that looked like someone had gone over it with a torch. In California Campbell magnolia may flower as early as January. |
RE: Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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| Sound wisdom, bboy. I have no experience with M. campbellii and don't have the budget to experiment with a plant that far out-of-zone. Although the person I spoke too years ago about the plant is very reliable, I have my doubts on this one. I have had some luck growing tender (for zone 6) Magnolias here so I am always optimistic! Long term though, I know they can get torched by a cold snap at any time. It looks like I am going to have to email Broken Arrow and see if they have any info on 'Fran Smith'. If some of our resident Magnolia gurus here haven't bitten yet, the information may be more difficult to track down than I had hoped. |
RE: Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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| i figured with a name like that.. a little zone pushing wouldnt bother you.. lol ken |
RE: Magnolia 'Fran Smith'
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Tue, Feb 21, 12 at 0:24
| Yes, it would be nice if BA gave some background on it. Catalog descriptions are often mostly empty "gush", as a friend calls it. From the leaf photo and flower description it can at least be seen that the plant is a precocious (before the leaves open) flowering deciduous magnolia. |
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