A particularly wet weekend had the lower branches of our Magnolia macrophylla bending down to the point even I (at 5ft 3in) had to duck to walk under them. I had to admit it was time to at least prune the loopy bits off the main branches. The fact two of the three had big luscious flowers on them was a huge bonus and of course you know they went into a vase.
Andrew would have liked to remove the three lower branches in their entirety, I wasn't about to go for that.
The largest leaf on the bits we cut was just over 2ft long, not including the petiole.
The flowers are about 19" across.
I loved the opportunity to examine them up close, taking in the details...
And the subtle fragrance.
Their size was somewhat cartoonish, but in a good way (note the sleeping dog on the couch, she was not impressed).
This has been a very good year for flowers on the tree, it's simply covered in them. They've been opening for weeks now and there are still several in the swelling bud stage.
I'm joining up with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for Monday's In a Vase meme, click on over to see what other gardeners have created.
For my American readers I hope you'll take a moment this Memorial Day to remember those that have lost their lives in service to our country. It's so easy to get caught up in the day as a BBQ holiday that kicks off the beginning of summer. There's nothing wrong with enjoying those things, but I also want to specifically send out my appreciation to all the families that don't have their loved ones with them today, I am sorry and I thank you and your brave family members.
All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.