The Girls: All About Tulip Magnolias
When Forsythia begins bursting into yellow blooms, it’s a sure sign that Magnolia season isn’t far behind! Saucer Magnolias and their relatives are some of the earliest flowering plants to put on a show as winter begins giving way to spring.
Traditional Saucer Magnolias (Magnolia × soulangeana) bloom early enough that their flowers can sometimes be damaged by a late freeze or frost. One group of Magnolias was developed specifically with later flowering in mind.
Meet the “Little Girl” Magnolias
The “Little Girl” Magnolia series was developed at the U.S. National Arboretum by horticulturists Francis de Vos and William Kosar. The breeding work began in the 1950s, and the eight selections were introduced in the late 1960s.
The goal was to create beautiful, compact Magnolias that flowered later than many traditional Saucer Magnolias, helping reduce the risk of flower damage from late spring freezes.
The eight “girls” are ‘Ann’, ‘Betty’, ‘Jane’, ‘Judy’, ‘Pinkie’, ‘Randy’, ‘Ricki’, and ‘Susan’.
These deciduous Magnolias generally remain smaller and more compact than a traditional Saucer Magnolia. Depending on the selection and growing conditions, many mature in the neighborhood of 8–15 feet tall, although some can eventually grow larger.
They naturally develop as large, rounded, multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees, making them beautiful specimens without requiring them to be forced into a particular shape.
A Few of Our Favorites
‘Jane’ – Produces beautiful tulip-shaped flowers that are reddish-purple on the outside with lighter coloring inside.
‘Jane’ Tulip Magnolia
‘Betty’ – Features large flowers with rich reddish-purple coloring on the outside and lighter coloring inside.
‘Betty’ Tulip Magnolia
‘Ann’ – Known for its deep reddish-purple flower buds that open into colorful, tulip-shaped blooms.
‘Ann’ Tulip Magnolia
Where Should You Plant One?
“Little Girl” Magnolias flower best with plenty of sunlight, although some protection from our intense East Texas afternoon sun can be beneficial. Choose a location with well-drained soil and enough room for the plant to develop its naturally rounded form.
Their manageable size makes them beautiful specimen plants in the landscape, where their spring flowers can really become the focal point.
When planting near a home, walkway, or other structure, remember to consider the mature width of your particular variety rather than planting too close and relying on future pruning to keep it contained.
Pruning & Care
Magnolias generally don’t require much pruning when they’re planted in an appropriate location. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches as needed while allowing the plant to maintain its natural form.
If shaping is necessary, prune soon after flowering. Avoid heavy pruning later in the growing season because you may remove flower buds developing for the following spring.
Provide consistent moisture while the plant is becoming established, but avoid locations where the soil remains waterlogged. A 2″–3″ layer of mulch over the root zone can help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures—just keep the mulch away from the trunk or stems.
If fertilizer is needed, choose an appropriate landscape fertilizer and follow the label directions rather than automatically fertilizing on a fixed schedule.
A Beautiful Sign of Spring
Few things brighten the late-winter landscape quite like a Magnolia covered in colorful blooms. ‘Ann’, ‘Betty’, ‘Jane’, and the other “Little Girl” Magnolias give you that classic Magnolia flower on a more compact plant with slightly later bloom timing than many traditional Saucer Magnolias.
Even after their flowers have faded, their attractive foliage and natural shape make them a beautiful addition to the landscape throughout the growing season.