Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat

Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat is an RHS AGM winning deciduous magnolia with stunning large white blooms and bronze tinted foliage. It’s a knock out specimen magnolia suitable for more northern areas because its flowers bloom later in April.

Magnolia are one of the first flowering plants discovered in the fossil record and native to the Far East and the Americas where they were discovered and named by French botanist Pierre Magnol. The first magnolia on record in the UK was imported from America in the 1600s.

Magnolia Loebneri is a German bred cultivar created from parent plants Japanese Magnolia Kobus and Magnolia Stellata. This cultivar was developed to introduce a magnolia of smaller stature that had profuse flowers. There are many popular types of Magnolia Loebneri including Magnolia Loebneri Leonard Messi and Magnolia Leobneri Merrill.

Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat was bred in the USA. It has beautiful showy white double flowers with a tint of pale pink. Its flowers emerge a bit later than other magnolias in April which gives the buds better frost protection.

Its individual flowers are large for a magnolia measuring up to 12 cms in diameter with many layers of tepals so they rather resemble chrysanthemums. The large scented blooms appear on bare branches, but once they have faded new green-bronze foliage emerges and matures to mid-green before falling with the Autumn frosts.

This is an excellent specimen magnolia that suits compact gardens and more northern areas with its late-blooming flowers.

Height and Spread of Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat
Magnolia Wildcat is compact and bushy. It’ll reach a maximum height and spread of 8 metres over 20-50 years.

How Hardy is Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat
Magnolia Wildcat is cold hardy if its roots are well-drained, but it needs a sheltered, sunny position to flower well.

How To Use Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat
This is an excellent decorative shrub or tree for a sheltered sunny border or sun-drenched front gardens. It suits both pretty country cottage spaces and modern urban courtyards with its upright growth and modern blooms.

How To Care For Magnolia Loebneri Wildcat
Grow Wildcat in moist but well-drained soil that’s preferably acid to neutral in pH. However, it will grow in moist alkaline soils too. Mulch it with pine or bracken compost to boost the soil’s acidity.
Late frosts will damage its flower buds, so be sure to avoid frost pockets and harsh cold winds when choosing its position. East, south, or west-facing spots with shelter are ideal.
Pruning isn’t required and may ruin its shape, but you can remove stray branches in mid-summer to early autumn if necessary.