Magnolia in the Summer!

I love magnolias. And I have waited about five years to purchase the special one - one that will bloom not in early spring, but later in the season.

I was first attracted to a friend's magnolia, 'Edith Bogue' because I happened to catch one of its large, white blossoms that intermittently bloom throughout the summer. Not only was it huge, it had a wonderful lemon fragrance and shiny, dark green leaves that reminded me of hollies - only larger, and not serrated.

'Edith Bogue' is one of the southern magnolias that bloom a bit later than the ones we usually see in early spring, the saucer type with bright pink blooms. I do like those magnolias, too, but I find they bloom so early, you can't enjoy them as much.

Besides, warm weather diffuses scents better - my uncle has such a magnolia like that soaring at least forty feet near his doorstep, but he lives in Maryland and can really appreciate the sweet scent it offers.

So for us northern folks, a magnolia that blooms later - then intermittently, can make sense if you are seeking the fragrance magnolias offer. I happen to also love the cool white flowers that span four to five inches.

This spring (only plant magnolias in spring) I found not 'Edith Bogue' but another delightful variety, 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' at a Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden ( see earlier post).

When I bought it, the owner, Dick Jaynes, promised it would be fragrant, but had actually never seen it bloom, as he sells them before they do so. He asked me to let him know.

I planted the small tree in a sheltered area, carefully placing it in partial sun - not too much to scorch it, but quite a bit to make it bloom, with other, larger trees around to provide windbreak.

It is thriving, and I seemed to wait about three weeks for a very plump bud to finally break open. The fragrance was indeed lemon-like, but also had a touch of what I guess is a clean, linen smell. It was very refreshing.

And I had the most curious experience when peering into the large cup - a bee, wriggling in frenzy, was rolling in the pollen! I had never seen anything like it before.

The bloom lasted a mere two days, but was well worth the wait. Now I know, come late spring, I will have a bevy of blooms.

One of the noteworthy features of 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' is the fuzzy brown underside of the leaves, which the deer find distasteful. The leaves are evergreen, but I hear that they do shed, and require a clean-up.

While I've read they do not shed as much as other Southern magnolias, I'm sure I'll find the chore well-worth the beauty of this magnificent tree.