Scientific Name
Magnolia x ‘Butterflies’
This is one of the small magnolia trees developed over the past few decades for striking displays of yellow flowers in spring. It is a hybrid between the North American cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and the Asian Yulan magnolia (Magnolia denudata). Cucumber magnolia is often used in hybridizing because it is among the most cold-hardy species in the genus and also contributes yellow flower color, while Yulan magnolia contributes smaller mature stature, typically to 20 feet.
Flower buds for the following spring are visible on the twigs in fall and are larger than the leaf buds. Flowers open in spring before the leaves emerge. Some magnolias bloom early, others later, with a range in between. Denver’s variable spring climate means early blooms may be damaged by hard freezes in some years, while later bloomers may be unaffected; in other years the reverse occurs. On rare occasions, all magnolias bloom successfully. Bloom time is also influenced by site conditions. This ‘Butterflies’ magnolia is in an average exposure, neither especially warm nor cool, while another is in a cooler shaded location on the northeast corner of the Regis Residence Village and may bloom later.
Leaves are large, up to 8 inches long, with little fall color. Flowers are held upright on thick twigs and have a slight lemon scent. Trees are typically single-stemmed and develop a pyramidal form up to 20 feet tall.