Thank you Frank! I am taking the liberty of posting your informative post to the list. TY again! Clyde Crockett Indy IN ccredux@aol.com zone 5b
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- To: <c*@aol.com>
- Subject: Southern magnolia
- From: "* C* <g*@pdnt.com>
- Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 23:10:55 -0500
Magnolia grandflora does well in east central Illinois zone 5, similar conditions to Indianapolis. Care must be taken to select a hardy clone. The generic forms will get winter damage every year north of St. Louis. Of the most commonly available, "Edith Bogue" is the hardiest. There are other hardy clones but most of them are not available yet. I have had a "Victoria" for about fifteen years. In a typical winter it will loose 1/3 of it's leaves. In a mild winter there is no damage. Interestingly the partially damaged leaves are able to repair themselves. Only two winters had severe damage, splitting of the trunk two years in a row. Until then it was very vigorous. It has taken about five years to regain it's vigor. It is growing like mad this year but has only one bud, it usually had about six. It is almost as big now as it was when it was about 6 years old. I like it because of the wonderful russet undersides of the leaves that are especially attractive in early winter. I also have a tiny "Edith Bogue" planted right next to "Victoria" in case I loose "Victoria". There were several large southern magnolias in this area until we started have some bad winters in the 80's. If you happen to have a courtyard, U or L shaped house that gives you windbreak and building shade from early morning and evening shade you are ok. What happens is that on clear cold days, the sum warms up the plants and the air but when the sun goes down the temperature drops faster than the plants can adjust.
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