Magnolia sargentiana
Common name: 
Sargent's Magnolia
Pronunciation: 
mag-NO-li-a sar-GEN-te-i ro-BUS-tah
Family: 
Magnoliaceae
Genus: 
Magnolia
Synonyms: 
Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous tree or large shrub, to 35 ft (11 m) with an equal spread, twigs outspread from base up.  Leaves oblong-obovate, 12-20 cm long, 5-8 cm wide, emarginate at the apex on older plants.  Blooms in early-mid spring, very large flowers, 20-30 cm wide, bowl shaped, up to 16 tepals (magnolia "petals"), mauve-pink on outside and pure white on the inside, erect when opening, then horizontal.
  • Seedlings flower in about 10 years and grafted plants in about 8 years.  Must be protected from wind which will tear the bloom, needs a lot of room to spread.  Not for dry areas.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 7     Native to China, especially the forests in Szechwan Province.
  • Magnolia sargentiana is the accepted name. Some authorities reason that Magnolia sargentiana var. robusta is just part of the species population, hence a synonym.  Others are suspicious that M. sargentiana var. robusta in some hybrid of M. sargentiana.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: NE corner Dorm Quad (Buxton Hall) on Jefferson Way; also between Azalea House and Champinefu Lodge on Madison Ave. east of 11th St.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering (5 years later)

    plant habit, flowering (5 years later)

  • flowering branches

    flowering branches

  • flowers

    flowers

  • flower

    flower