Photo of Magnolia 'Sunsation' flower by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

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Buy Magnolia 'Sunsation'

Also Known As

  • Magnolia 'Sensation'
  • Magnolia hybrid 'Sunsation'
  • Magnolia x 'Sunsation'
  • Sunsation Magnolia
  • Sunsation Tulip Magnolia

Plant type

tree

size

  • H: 20'-30'
  • W: 6'-25'

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

1 gallon bagged root ball | $101

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30 at Gossler Farms

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Magnolia 'Sunsation' plant details

Magnolia 'Sunsation' is a broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In spring purple and yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees and beneficial insects making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Magnolia 'Sunsation'

Plant type: tree
Plant family: magnoliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 FT - 25 FT - wide, 20 FT - 30 FT - tall
Flowers: purple and yellow blooms in spring
Uses: cutting garden, fragrant, pyramidal, showy, small tree

GROWING CONDITIONS for Magnolia 'Sunsation'

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

M. 'Woodsman' x M. 'Elizabeth'. The flowers are 6” across and are vibrant golden yellow with a purple blush. Said to bloom late in the season. Avoiding late frosts.
This fabulous selection is a late-bloomer, which is great news for gardeners with late-frosts! When it opens it does makes a wonderful entrance, with large, 7", tulip-shaped blooms in a rich blend of pink, apricot and gold; almost like a sunrise! The golden-yellow flowers feature a lovely touch of pink at their base that runs up the outside center of the petal giving it an appealing, striped effect. Large bright-green leaves follow the blossoms on this stunning 20-30' tree. S/M
Attention cold climate gardeners: This yellow Magnolia from August Kerr (hybrid of M. 'Woodsman' and 'Elizabeth') blooms the very end of April into mid May, so there is less danger from being frostbitten. Lovely 6-7" lemon yellow blossoms flushed with pink are seductive. It will develop a pyramidal shape and become 25-30' tall. 2-3' plants
This selection is a late bloomer, but makes a theatrical entrance, with blooms in a rich blend of colors. The deep-yellow flowers with a blush of purple at their base, grow to 7 inches wide, with the handsome leaves soon to follow.
Sunsation makes a late but theatrical entrance. Her blooms are a rich blend of colors. The deep gold flowers with a blush of chartreuse at their base grow to 7" wide. The handsome leaves soon follow.

By: Ellipsis Gardens

During the 2011 Magnolia Society meeting in Rhode Island, a majority of ladies in the crowd raved about this abundant bloomer with its rosy-accented flowers. It's a wonderful selection due to the warm color tones, blooming later than any of the other yellows and before the emergent leaves. August Kehr, the hybridizer, would have never accepted much credit for this plant he created, but he deserves all our thanks for his exceptional work, including this plant. Interesting story: On the way to see Augie from Raleigh, NC Pat McCracken and Mark Krautmann decided to accept August's invitation to name all of his (at that time, only numbered) superior yellows. Before we got to Hendersonville, where he and his wife lived, we came up with Stellar Acclaim, Sunsation, Solar Eclipse, Hot Flash, and Sunspire. Augie was too modest to name his own "children".
One of August Kehr's hybrids; its parentage is 'Woodsman' x 'Elizabeth.' What makes this yellow particularly special for us is a moderate purple at the base of the soft canary yellow tepals. In bud the effect is stripey. When open the contrast of the colors catches one's eye and holds the attention of the onlooker. A gorgeous medium sized Magnolia.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Large 7" yellow flowers with rose pink blush at base. Deciduous, USDA zones 5-8

Gardening facts about Magnolia 'Sunsation' plant

How to Grow Magnolia 'Sunsation'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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