Magnolia ‘Jane’

‘Jane’ is a cross between M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ and M. stellata ‘Rosea’. It is part of the Little Girl Series 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 the risk of damage to flowers from late spring frosts. ‘Jane’ is primarily noted for its shrubby habit, large reddish-purple flowers with white interiors and late bloom (mid-April to early May). It is a slow-growing, deciduous shrub or small tree that typically rises over time to 10-15′ tall with a spread to 8-12′ wide. Large cup-shaped flowers (to 8″ diameter) are reddish-purple with white inside. Flowers bloom shortly before the foliage begins to appear. Flowers may sporadically repeat bloom in mid-summer. Ovate leaves (to 6″ long) emerge with copper-red tints in spring, turn dark green by late spring and finally acquire yellow to bronze-copper tones in fall.  (Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder)