May Plant of the Month
LATIN NAME: Magnolia laevifolia (syn Michelia)
COMMON NAME: Polished-leaved magnolia
FAMILY: Magnoliaceae
TYPE: Evergreen tree
ORIGIN: China
LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Arrival Garden
GARDEN USES: Border plantings, specimen tree
FUN FACT: Spring is here and with it, comes heaps of fuzzy brown buds located in each leaf axil of this wonderful magnolia relative. Once opened, these creamy-white blooms will fill the air with an alluring fragrance destined to grab any visitor nearby. The genus name honors the French botanist, Pierre Magnol (1638-1715).
