Lily Magnolia

Magnolia liliiflora

Magnoliaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced

Last updated May 27, 2026

Uncommon in Puget Sound landscapes compared to M. x soulangeana and the Little Girl hybrids (‘Jane’, ‘Ann’, ‘Susan’, etc.), which are more frequently planted. Tolerates the maritime climate well; sheltered positions reduce late frost damage to early flowers. Brittle branches benefit from wind protection. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution. The species is a parent of M. x soulangeana (crossed with M. denudata) and of the Little Girl hybrid series (crossed with M. stellata). Clay soil sites typical of the Green River valley are acceptable if drainage is adequate. ‘Nigra’ observed in bloom at Issaquah 2026-04-20.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height

8-12 ft

Spread

8-12 ft

Growth Rate

Slow

Size at 20 yr

8-10 ft

Lifespan

Moderate

Site Requirements

Light

Sun to Part Shade

Soil Drainage

Moist

Soil pH

5.5-7.0 (optimal); tolerates mildly alkaline if soil is deep and humus-rich

Water

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Low

Hardiness

Zones 5a–9a

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time

Spring

Fall Color

Yellow-brown (nondescript)

Origin

Central China (South-Central and Southeastern China)

Field Observations

Lily Magnolia 'Nigra': Bloom

April 20, 2026 · Lake Wilderness Arboretum

Visit Lake Wilderness Arboretum →

Powdery MildewHigh

Active Conidial Spread

Verticillium WiltHigh

Root Colonization Period

AphidHigh

Peak Population & Dispersal

Diseases: Regionally Documented (12)

Basal Rot (Bulb Rot) Botrytis Blight Phytophthora cactorum Crown Rot Symptom category — not a single disease Root Rot Blueberry mosaic virus and related viruses Virus Diseases Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae Bacterial Blight Symptom category — not a single disease Leaf Spot Multiple obligate biotrophic fungi (Erysiphales: Erysipha... Powdery Mildew Root and Cutting Rots Verticillium dahliae Verticillium Wilt Aphelenchoides fragariae Nematode, Foliar Pratylenchus penetrans (primary) and P Nematode, Root-lesion

Diseases: Other Associations (1)

Sooty Molds

Pests: Regionally Documented (2)

Aphidoidea Aphid Lilioceris lilii Lily leaf beetle

Pests: Other Associations (2)

Neolecanium cornuparvum Magnolia Scale Odontopus calceatus (also Prionomerus calceatus) Yellow Poplar Weevil

Phenological Calendar

View full calendar (9 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Dormancy break / bud swell BBCH 01-03	Feb 15-Mar 15	Flower buds enlarge and become smooth and taut; outer brown scales separate revealing pale green or pinkish inner tissue
Inflorescence emergence BBCH 55-57	Mar 25-Apr 15	Goblet-shaped buds fully colored purple-pink, not yet open
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 25 Observed	First goblet-shaped flowers opening, purple-red tepals visible
Full bloom BBCH 65	Apr 10-May 5	Peak display; most flowers fully open
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 20-May 15	Tepals browning and dropping; spent flowers on ground
Leaf emergence BBCH 10-11	Apr 5-May 1	Leaves emerging during or shortly after bloom; alternate, obovate to elliptic-ovate, dark green above, lighter and pubescent beneath
Fruit set BBCH 71	Jun-Jul	Cone-like aggregate follicles developing where flowers were pollinated; not produced reliably every year
Leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct-Nov	Foliage turning yellow-brown (nondescript); may look ragged before dropping
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov-Feb	Leaves dropped, flower buds set for next season visible on bare stems

Cultivars (3)

'Nigra'

Smaller than species type; darker crimson-purple flowers with very dark outer tepals; blooms at a young age; vigorous and long-flowering; probably the most widely planted M. liliiflora cultivar

Hardy; introduced from Japan by John Gould Veitch in 1861

'O'Neil'

7-9 tepals, rich red-purple outside, pink-purple veined darker inside

Distributed by Joe McDaniel from the garden of Mabel O'Neill, Champaign, Illinois

'Gracilis'

More slender form and narrower leaves than species; deep purple outer tepals; more upright and delicate shrub

Smaller-statured selection

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.