The flowers of the Jane magnolia are fairly large, especially relative to the overall size of the plant. Under ideal conditions, the blooms can reach 8 inches across when fully open. The flower color is displayed in two different time periods. When the flower is still closed, the color is burgundy-purple, and the flowers are shaped like tulips. After the flower has been fully open for a while, the color of the outer side of the petals fades to pink. The petals are white on the inside. To plant magnolia ‘Jane,’ dig a hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. Mix the removed soil with compost or peat moss to enrich the soil and loosen existing dirt. After putting the plant in the soil, water it well and then add a 2-inch layer of much.
Light
Plant the magnolia ‘Jane’ in a location that has full sun or part shade. Avoid placing it in an area with warm southern exposure, which could encourage the buds to open too early in the spring months. If a magnolia gets too much hot sun, the blooms could suffer from sunscald.
Soil
Magnolia ‘Jane’ grows best in organically rich, medium-moisture soil that’s neutral to slightly acidic. Add a layer of root-zone mulch to help the soil retain its moisture, but keep it 4 inches away from the trunk of the plant. Magnolias adapt fairly easily to a variety of soils, including clay, loam, or sand, but it doesn’t do well in wet or poorly drained soils.
Water
This deciduous shrub needs to be watered weekly for the first growing season. When it’s hot, water every few days to soak the ground up to 8 inches. Check the first 2 to 4 inches of soil to see if it’s dry; if it is, it’s time to water. If the magnolia is well-established, it’s moderately tolerant to drought.
Temperature and Humidity
This shrub can tolerate temperatures as low as -30 or -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It also needs proper air circulation to avoid powdery mildew, its biggest threat.
Fertilizer
Once the magnolia ‘Jane’ is established, fertilize it in the spring every two to three years. To fertilize, you can spread compost around your bush in spring and water it in. Then, in early fall, use a fertilizer geared to acid-loving plants, such as Holly Tone.
Pruning
The magnolia ‘Jane’ doesn’t need much pruning during the first couple of years. As a general rule of thumb, the earliest-flowering trees and shrubs set flower buds the previous year, so be careful not to prune at the wrong time and end up losing flowers. Simply remove the dead or damaged branches immediately after the plant flowers during the Spring months. However, there is no rule stating that you have to prune Jane magnolias at all, although it is advisable to prune away any suckers that might develop to keep the shrubs looking neat. After two years, don’t prune the magnolia tree at all because the tree won’t heal from the cutting.
Propagating Magnolia ‘Jane’
Magnolia ‘Jane’ is a sterile plant, meaning it doesn’t produce seeds and must be propagated via cuttings. Here’s how:
Overwintering
This is a cold-hardy tree that can survive freezing winter temperatures. At the extreme edges of its range, you can wrap in burlap and mulch around the base during particularly cold periods.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Magnolia ‘Jane’ is a hardy shrub with few pest or disease problems that are serious enough to warrant treatment. Powdery mildew can occur on leaves that are overcrowded and kept too moist. Additionally, leaf spots can affect magnolia leaves due to fungal and bacterial causes, but this is a rare occurrence.
How to Get Magnolia ‘Jane" to Bloom
One of the most important factors in keeping your magnolia healthy enough to bloom is water. This shrub loves moist soil and will produce flowers only if it is watered regularly.
Common Problems With Magnolia ‘Jane’
If leaves wilt and turn brown, the problem is likely leaf scorch, which is caused by under-watering. Keeping the soil moist will reverse the problem and encourage optimal growth.
