Photo of Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' flower by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Buy Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'

Also Known As

  • Magnolia loebneri 'Leonard Messel'
  • Leonard Messel Magnolia

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

  • H: 20'-25'
  • W: 15'-18'

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

2 gallon bagged root ball | $131

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Fewer than 10 at Gossler Farms

2 inch wide, 4-6 inch deep tube | $34.95

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Fewer than 14 at Forestfarm

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Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' plant details

Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring pink flowers emerge. Attracts bees and birds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: magnoliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 15 FT - 18 FT - wide, 20 FT - 25 FT - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in spring
Uses: cutting garden, fragrant, showy, small tree

GROWING CONDITIONS for Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer, humidity
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

We didn't think much of the hybrid to begin with but now think it's wonderful. Our 30' tree is fairly narrow but has many branches that are horizontal. The pink stellata shaped flowers literally weigh down the tree in March. These are gorgeous
A wonderful small tree to about 15’…fragrant star-like4-6” flowers (white with purplish-pink exterior) March>April followed by obovate medium green leaves (deciduous). Red cone like fruits midsummer followed by individual red seeds suspended on slender threads. Rich well drained loam, full sun to part shade, good turf tree, enjoys summer irrigation. Rounded, multi trunk form. Site in a protected location where late freezes could damage blooms.
A unique looking hosta that lives up to its fun name! Bright yellow leaves are very long and thin and notable for their incredibly wavy margins. It forms a low, wide habit that really highlights the "wiggly" edges. Leaves will be more chartreuse green in more shade: for best yellow color, plant in a site with morning sun and afternoon shade. Lavender flowers.
An attractive hybrid between Magnolia kobus and Magnolia stellata, 'Leonard Messel' has fragrant light pink star-shaped flowers that cover the bare stems in the spring. There will also usually be another set of scattered flowers in the summer which feature wider petals around the same time that the first spring flowers have begun to ripen into bright red fruit. 

'Leonard Messel' tends to produce dense trees with multiple stems and can often be found planted in rows for summer privacy hedges.
(M. kobus x M. stellata) A large shrub or low branching tree with mid-spring blooms. The fragrant star shaped flowers are soft pink on the outside, white on the inside. Flower color can vary depending on temperature. Growth Rate medium
A compact tree grown for the beauty of its pale pink aromatic flowers. He blooms from late spring to early summer. An excellent choice for those with limited space. Leonard Messel Magnolia can be gown as a small standard shaped tree, by pruning off the lower limbs, or as a spreading shrub. Plant in well draining soil and consider a wide ring of mulch around, but not touching, the stem.

By: Ellipsis Gardens

A choice cultivar of the early-flowering double pink M. stellata type. Compact in form, it flowers precociously and the leaves remain mildew-free throughout the summer. Wonderfully fragrant frost-resistant flowers on this short, elegant tree means you need one by your own front door.
Thought to be the result of crossing kobus with stellata rosea, Colonel Messel's plant has dark purple buds composed of 12-15 tepals opening 6? wide, dark purplish pink outside and white inside. its been around since the fifties and is something of a classic; Dirr considers it one of the truly great Magnolias and is particularly fond of its lovely fragrance.
A magnificent tall shrub or small tree (Hillier), this hybrid between M. kobus ; M. stellata'Rosea' has a profusion of 12-strap-petalled flowers, violet-pink outside ; pale-pink within; an attention-getter for sure. SUN/Med
In March-May, fuchsia-purple buds open to pink blooms that are quite frost resistant. Grows to approximately 25'. It received a First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticulture Society in 1969. (M. kobus x M. kobus var. stellata 'Rosea')

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Gardening facts about Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' plant

How to Grow Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • bees
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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