During one of my many trips to Bridgemere, one of the UKs biggest garden centres and only 1.5 hours drive away, i came across Magnolia "Black Tulip". This new cultivar introduces a deep maroon-black colour to the magnolia repertoire that is quite simply stunning, and I needed to take this plant home there and then! I could just envisage a mature specimen making a dramatic impact in our garden, especially at a time when our blue bell drifts will start flowering. I planted it out in our purple border last year and found it made healthy growth in a single season doubling the plant size from 1 to nearly 2m (i am hoping for a large tree ultimately). I eagerly awaited this spring and could count several flower buds on our plant. Although the plant did not suffer in the harsh winter we've had, a recent light overnight frost did harm the unfolding young leaves as the first flowers opened. The flowers themselves appear less affected by the cold, and are of variable size. They are bleached to a certain extend by the sun. The recent cultivar "Genie" apparently holds it colour better, although i have not seen it yet (available only from Burncoose nurseries as far as i am aware). Black Tulip itself is now more commonly available, also through crocus. I hope to report more on how our Magnolia Black Tulip is doing in coming years!
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