Magnolia Red As Red - Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Tulip Tree

The Magnolia 'Red as Red' is a shrub whose abundant spring flowering in a bright red attracts all eyes in the garden. The large cup-shaped flowers appear before the leaves and create a magnificent spectacle on its bare branches. With a moderate growth, this beautiful deciduous shrub is well suited for small gardens. Its beautiful green foliage easily blends into a varied bed, and the intensity of its flowering justifies planting it in isolation on a lawn. 

The Magnolia belongs to and has given its name to the Magnoliaceae family. There are around a hundred species of Magnolia, trees and shrubs, mostly originating from the warm temperate regions of Asia and North America. The genus is quite polymorphic, encompassing deciduous and evergreen plants, with a wide diversity of foliage and flower colours.
The Magnolia 'Red as Red' is a horticultural variety obtained in New Zealand (South Auckland) by Ian Baldick. This breeder crossed the 'Pickard’s Ruby' Magnolia, with very large bicolour flowers, with the 'Vulcan' Magnolia, which offers very large entirely ruby red flowers. With such parentage, the result could only be splendid, and 'Red as Red' is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful representatives of the genus.
It forms a medium-sized shrub, reaching approximately 3 m in height by 2 m in spread after 10 years of cultivation (but sometimes less depending on soil and climate conditions). At maturity, it generally does not exceed 4 m in height. Its growth is relatively upright, usually presenting several main branches that are erect and laterally branched. Its initially somewhat stiff port becomes more or less rounded with age. The bark is light brown, and the floral buds that form in winter are of the same colour. In April, appear magnificent flowers of an almost perfect red, barely tinged with purple, with a diameter of 15 cm. This flowering occasionally extends into May, especially if the shrub is in a wind-protected location. The obovate-shaped leaves appear towards the end of flowering and beautifully clothe the plant with their rich green. Deciduous, they fall in autumn.

A magnificent variety for small gardens, this Magnolia 'Red as Red' shines with its original coloured flowering. Plant it in non-calcareous, sufficiently fresh soil, as it does not like dry conditions, in full sun or under light shade in southern regions. Plant it in isolation or in a varied bed, alongside plants with staggered flowering to enjoy flowers for a long period. The Camellia japonica 'San Dimas' will offer you its wonderful red flowers with yellow hearts from February to April, and even in December, and its dark green evergreen foliage will remain ornamental all year round. To create a superb scene, add the Azalea mollis 'White Frills', a Chinese Azalea whose white flowers with yellow-green speckles will harmonize beautifully with the bright red of the Magnolia. And for the summer season, make your choice from the vast range of Hydrangeas!