Magnolia ‘Ann’

‘Ann’ is a cross between M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’. It is part of the Little Girl series (‘Ann’, ‘Betty’, ‘Jane’, ‘Judy’, ‘Pinkie’, ‘Randy’, ‘Ricki’ and ‘Susan’) of hybrid magnolias that were developed at the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s by Francis DeVos and William Kosar. Plants in this series flower about 2-4 weeks later than M. stellata and M. x soulangiana, thus reducing potential damage to flowers from late spring frosts. ‘Ann’ is primarily noted for its compact shrubby habit, slightly fragrant purple-red flowers and late bloom (mid-April to early May). It is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub or small tree that typically rises over time to 8-10′ tall and as wide. Chalice-shaped flowers (to 7-9″ long) are slightly fragrant. Flowers may sporadically repeat bloom in mid summer. Ovate medium green leaves (to 6″ long). Leaves turn yellow in fall.