Magnolias, among the most greatly admired flowering trees, are enjoyed from north to south and east to west.
Introduction To ‘Majestic Beauty’
A relative newcomer to the clan is ‘Majestic Beauty,’ shown above in a garden setting with its large flower at the left.
It is adaptable to all parts of the South and northward into areas with temperatures that go as low as 5° “degrees Fahrenheit above zero.
A superb shade tree, ‘Majestic Beauty,’ has a compact, symmetrical, pyramidal habit with a lovely pattern of spreading branches with ascending tips.
The trunk is strong and slender, and the deep rooting habit enables it to grow unsupported and allows other plants to grow underneath without serious root competition.
The immense dark green leaves, thick in texture and with a high gloss, make a stunning background for the large 12-inch flowers borne from May through August. Wavy petals are arranged in three alternate tiers of three petals each.
The mild fragrance dispensed by the creamy white bowl-shaped blooms will fill a room with fragrance when they are used in an arrangement, and the leaves add a handsome note.
‘Majestic Beauty ‘is a distinctive selection of the familiar Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora.
All the plants sold are grafted, the scion from the original tree selection. And because the tree was considered of merit and was distinctive from M. Grandiflora, it was awarded a plant patent, No. 2250.
So, when you purchase your tree, look for the ‘Majestic Beauty’ labels. Almost every Western gardener is familiar with succulents—sedums, sempervivums, crassulas—in all their varied forms.
As a class, they are not difficult plants to grow, needing only full sun and gritty soil that drains well but retains sufficient water for the plants’ growth. Many of them have a semi-dormant period when water should be withheld.
Space Garden
Besides the usual places to plant succulents—in pots, as ground covers, etc.—Western gardeners are now using these favorites in new ways.
They may become part of a “space garden” or be made to take on the elegant topiary look.
Creating a Hanging Succulent Ball
The hanging ball shown here is approximately 24″ inches in diameter and suitable for architectural features on a deck, porch, or entrance doorway.
Form a hollow ball with chicken wire and line it with a generous layer of moist sphagnum moss to make it. Next, fill the ball with the soil mixture.
Then, you are ready to add the plants. Small plants are easier to work with than large ones. Insert the plant’s roots through the chicken wire and sphagnum into the soil.
Carefully work the sphagnum about the plant so the soil doesn’t leak out. Cover the entire surface with the plants—all of one kind or vary the shapes, textures, and colors.
The second design is made similarly with a wire frame added. The topiary “trees” are made similarly, the round tops being supported on strong dowel sticks inserted in pots of soil.
A few of the plants I have found especially good for this purpose are C russula lycopodioides; Sempervivum tectorum, S. arachnoideum, and its many varieties; and Sedum multiceps and 5. Staldi.
44659 by Helen Newbauer