Take 5: Magnificent magnolias

Peter EastmanMagnolia maudiae

Peter Eastman loves magnolias so much he covered one in white anklet socks in February to keep the buds from freezing. It didn't work, alas, but he thinks the effort was worth the neighbors' raised eyebrows.

Love is like that. We tend to jump in with our eyes closed. Not that Eastman didn't know the risk when he planted 'Caerhays Belle' four years ago. He just couldn't resist the siren call of the pink, plate-sized flowers. The coveted tree now lives in his North Portland garden along with about 10 other magnolias, including four 'Vulcan' that could take anyone's breath away with their ardent magenta blooms.

"I have to have my magnolias," says Eastman, who works in inside sales for

Fairdale Nursery, a wholesale grower

. "There's nothing else like them. The flowers are so big and luscious. It's the wow factor that I love."

With about 200 species in the magnolia genus, there are a lot to choose from. So Eastman used considerable restraint in choosing just five, all of which break bud early -- in late March or April -- just when you need them most.

Magnolia maudiae: A small- evergreen tree with shiny green foliage. Seems to like full sun or partial shade in the Portland area and protection from cold east winds in winter. Excellent choice for a small, urban street tree. Covers itself in small, creamy white flowers with dark eyes in late February to early March. Flowers continue to open over a six-week period. So fragrant you can smell it from a block away. See them in bloom along Northeast Fremont Street between 13th and 14th avenues. Grows slowly to about 25 feet eventually. Hardy to Zone 7

Peter EastmanMagnolia 'Caerhays Belle'

Magnolia 'Caerhays Belle': A deciduous shade tree that will get quite large with time, about 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Flowers are bright pink and huge, a full 12 inches wide. They open very early in March, so are best sited where late frosts are not common. I saw my first flowers up close last spring at Joy Creek Nursery. The flowers were like gigantic pink goblets. Spectacular! My 8-foot tree will flower for the first time this spring. I can't wait. Tree is hardy to Zone 6, but buds are reliably hardy only in Zone 7 or higher.

Peter EastmanMagnolia 'Iolanthe'

Magnolia 'Iolanthe': A beautiful selection with huge, pink flowers (10 to 11 inches) that open in early March and cover the small spreading tree that grows to 20 feet high and 10 feet wide. A nice full, goblet-shaped flower that holds up well in our wet springs. A bonus is that it flowers at a very young age. You don't have to wait five years for it to bloom. Hardy to Zone 6

Magnolia 'Vulcan': Still the best magnolia on the market for the pure richness of flower color and great form. I am always in awe of the pure ruby color on this selection. When in flower, it stands out like a neon sign. The tree maintains a nice pyramidal form and can be used as a small street tree to great effect. This selection flowers at a quite young age. Gets about 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Hardy to Zone 6

Peter EastmanMagnolia 'Vulcan'

Magnolia denudata (Yulan magnolia): Still one of the nicest early spring, deciduous magnolias. A somewhat slow grower but will repay the patient gardener with years of intense displays of fragrant, creamy-white flowers covering the tree like a cloud. One of the best for pure fragrance. Flowers are classic goblet-shaped and stand up to rain and wind. Tree grows slowly, eventually to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Hardy to Zone 6

SOURCES
Forestfarm (mail order)
541-846-7269
forestfarm.com
Gossler Farms Nursery (retail site in Springfield, or mail order)
gosslerfarms.com
541-746-3922
Greer Gardens (retail site in Eugene, or mail order)
greergardens.com
541-686-8266

-- Kym Pokorny

The OregonianMagnolia denudata