Magnolia delavayi -Chinese Evergreen

13 years ago

Alright Fragrant Plant fans, here is a new one for many of us: Magnolia Delavayi, the fragrant Chinese Evergreen Magnolia. It has huge evergreen leaves with light undersides. Flowers open light bulb shaped, white, with umber red edges or streakes. As with most magnolias, it seems this is their moment of high fragrance. But then ,to quote the venerable old Ginzu comercial, there's more. The blossoms fade to peach buff, and unfurl to show their pagoda-like stamems and gynoecium (magnolia pistil cone). It is beautiful, and very The-King-and-I.

There is a tantalizing specimen being offered for sale right now on Ebay. I thought you all might enjoy checking it out. If anyone stags it, you must let us know, and then tell us how you succeed.

The species seems to be hardy to zone 9, zone 8 with some protection. Does anyone have experience with this plant, or have at least had the oppurtunity to smell one in person. Please tell us.

This is really a special plant.

Best wishes,

Sincerely,

Matt Di Clemente

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Comments (4)

Ispahan Zone6a Chicago
13 years ago
Yes, this specimen looks tempting, as do many other plants for sale listed by the same person on eBay. I see on a certain website that must remain nameless here (first name rhymes with "pop") that M. delavayi has evening scented blooms and pertains to the same section of Magnolia as M. coco and M. liliifera. With close relatives like that, I really think it must be a great plant.

I am also fascinated by the specimens of Melodorum listed by the same seller. Melodorum fruticosum is one of two flowers known as "rumdul" in Cambodia and is that country's national flower. It is supposed to be strongly and uniquely fragrant during the evening/night. And the flowers are exotically beautiful and eerie.
mattdiclemente
Original Author
13 years ago
I am with you Ispahan. If I ever find myself with a victorian Iron and Glass palm house at my disposal, M. delavayi is one of the very first on my list. Until such point, or at least until I figure out some other method of ensuring I do not kill such an expensive rare plant, I would be very happy with just seeing one.

It seems that some are being grown now in California and in Europe. I wonder where.

And, thak-you for the tip. I never heard of rumdul. Where did you first learn of it?

Best wishes,
Matt
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jodidizzo
9 years ago
I realize this post is very old, but I just thought I'd let you all know -- there is an ENORMOUS m. delavayi specimen at the Huntington Botanical Gardens near Pasadena, California. It is located near the rose garden tea room. It's absolutely stunning.

Unfortunately, I didn't know anything about it when I saw it, so I just noted the name. I've been looking for a magnolia for my yard and this one has such a beautiful shape and leaves. I had no idea the blooms were so special. Guess I should have known it would be so rare.

If you're in the area, the Gardens are really beautiful, as is this tree.
Eric Storm
6 years ago

There is also a large and very healthy delavayi at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (zone 10a or 10b). It's wide canopy arches over a shallow pond. I was captured by its beauty so I got some seeds from asklepios-seeds. They sent them quickly so I'm giving them a go. They have to be stratified at about 40f for three months. I hope it works out.