If you're looking for a beautiful and unique tree to add to your Utah landscape, the Magnolia 'Genie' Purple Blooming Magnolia is an excellent choice. This striking tree is known for its deep purple, tulip-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring, just before the leaves emerge. Its compact, upright growth habit and glossy, dark green leaves make it an attractive addition to any garden or yard.
One of the reasons why the Magnolia 'Genie' is such a great option for Utah landscapes is its cold-hardiness. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, which is important in a state where winter temperatures can often be quite frigid. Because of its compact growth habit, it’s an ideal tree for smaller yards or gardens. It will grow 10 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide.
Perhaps the biggest appeal of the Magnolia 'Genie' is its eye-catching flowers. The deep purple color is a rare sight in the world of flowering trees, and the tulip shape of the blooms is truly unique. Sometimes you’ll only have a short time to enjoy the flowers before they get nipped by late frost, but even that short experience is worth it. Plus, they make excellent cut flowers that you can enjoy inside your home when most of the outside world is still just starting to emerge from dormancy.
The Magnolia 'Genie' is truly a show-stopping tree that is sure to enchant anyone who sees it. Genie is appropriately named because of the magical, dark color of its flowers, its early bloom time, and its almost perfect growth habit. The flowers are often still on the tree as the leaves begin to grow, creating a stunning contrast between deep burgundy-purple flowers and glossy green leaves. In fact, when conditions are right, it will even produce a second, smaller burst of blossoms after the first blooms have started to fade.
This stunning tree works well as a specimen tree in a small yard, or as a part of a larger landscape design. It also pairs well with other early spring-blooming shrubs and perennials, such as daffodils and forsythia.
If you're considering adding a Magnolia 'Genie' to your Utah landscape, there are a few things to keep in mind. While it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it can also tolerate dry conditions once it’s established. Be sure to avoid standing water as it will lead to root damage. It also pays to plant it in a location that’s protected from the wind, so its delicate flowers aren’t damaged.
Overall, the Magnolia 'Genie' Purple Blooming Magnolia is a stunning and unique tree that is well-suited to Utah landscapes. Its cold-hardiness, compact size, and show-stopping flowers make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for something truly unique to complement their landscape. Often, magnolia trees experience some slight iron chlorosis here in Utah, but from what we’ve observed, it doesn’t weaken the plant. They tolerate our soils rather nicely, and the lighter colored leaves stand out in the landscape.
