Magnolia (Magnolia 'Ricki')
Magnolia 'Ricki' offers late-blooming, reddish-purple, fragrant flowers in Zones 4-8. A medium-maintenance deciduous shrub praised for its beauty.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Magnolia ‘Ricki’ is a treasured compact deciduous shrub, part of the esteemed Little Girl series developed at the National Arboretum. This cultivar provides gardeners with a significant aesthetic payoff by delivering showy, fragrant flowers later in the season than many other early bloomers, minimizing frost damage risk. As a slow-growing shrub or small tree, it offers distinctive reddish-purple blooms against emerging foliage.
Valued for its manageable size, typically reaching 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, Magnolia ‘Ricki’ integrates well into smaller landscapes or as a specimen plant. Its flower display, unique for its timing, is complemented by its adaptability to various cultural conditions, making it a reliable addition to many garden plans. Gardeners seek out the dependable beauty of the Magnolia genus, and ‘Ricki’ provides that charm in a shrub form perfect for layered plantings.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Magnoliaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 8-12 ft
- Spread: 8-12 ft
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Bloom Description: Reddish-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Magnolia ‘Ricki’ should ideally occur in early spring or early fall when temperatures are mild, allowing the sensitive, fleshy root system time to establish before temperature extremes. Select a site that receives full sun to light part shade, ensuring the soil is organically rich, neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained, and holds medium moisture. Since transplanting often stresses this Magnolia, choose its permanent location carefully and plan to leave it undisturbed for longevity.
Consistent care involves ensuring medium moisture levels, especially during dry periods, as the root zone appreciates consistent dampness. Apply a root-zone mulch to help retain soil moisture and moderate soil temperature. Protect the shrub from harsh, desiccating winds, and avoid warm southern exposures that might rush bud development prematurely.
Pruning for Magnolia ‘Ricki’ should be minimal; perform any necessary shaping immediately after the spring bloom concludes. General maintenance usually involves only removing dead or damaged wood, as this late-flowering variety benefits from establishing its natural, rounded habit.
Landscape Uses
Magnolia ‘Ricki’ shines as a beautiful specimen, perfectly suited as a focal point on lawns or near foundations where its spring color can be fully appreciated. Due to its sturdy, rounded form and manageable size, it is excellent positioned toward the front of woodland peripheries or integrated into mixed shrub borders where its texture contrasts with evergreen elements.
For a more formal look, this cultivar can be pruned lightly after flowering and maintained as a tall, informal hedge, providing structure and seasonal interest where other hedges might succumb to late spring frosts. Consider planting it near pathways or entryways to take full advantage of its fragrant flowers when they appear in mid to late spring.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
The common Magnolia genus comprises about 100 species of deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs, many featuring large, showy flowers. Magnolia ‘Ricki,’ a hybrid cross, is distinguished by its late bloom time (mid-April to early May), which helps it escape damaging spring frosts. This shrub offers cup-shaped, reddish-purple flowers, sometimes sporadically repeating bloom in mid-summer, set against ovate medium green leaves that transition to yellow or bronze-copper in autumn.
Tolerances
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
Potential health issues for this Magnolia generally fall into fungal diseases and pest infestations. Fungal concerns often include leaf spots, anthracnose, canker, dieback, and powdery mildew, usually exacerbated by poor air circulation or overly wet foliage. Monitor for insect activity from weevils, snails, scale insects, and thrips, which may target tender new growth or buds. Good cultural practices, such as ensuring proper spacing for air flow and avoiding overhead watering late in the day, are the best preventative measures against disease in your Magnolia ‘Ricki’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Magnolia ‘Ricki’ suitable for?
Magnolia ‘Ricki’ thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8, offering resistance against late spring frosts common in these ranges.
How large does Magnolia ‘Ricki’ grow?
This deciduous shrub typically reaches a mature height between 8 and 12 feet, with a similar spread of 8 to 12 feet, maintaining a somewhat rounded habit.
What sun exposure does Magnolia ‘Ricki’ need?
For optimal flowering and health, plant your Magnolia ‘Ricki’ where it receives full sun to part shade conditions.
When does Magnolia ‘Ricki’ bloom?
The principal bloom time for this late-flowering Magnolia variety is from April into May, displaying distinctive reddish-purple hues.
Conclusion
Magnolia ‘Ricki’ stands out as a reliable, lower-risk choice for gardeners seeking the dramatic beauty of the Magnolia in a shrub format resistant to late spring freezes. Its fragrant, showy flowers and manageable size make this hybrid highly desirable for defined garden spaces. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and ensure the soil structure supports its preference for rich, well-drained conditions.
Companion Planting
Selecting suitable neighbors for Magnolia ‘Ricki’ enhances its aesthetic appeal and cultural harmony. Because this shrub prefers richer, slightly acidic soils, pair it with companion plants that share similar pH and moisture needs, avoiding aggressive spreaders that might compete with its sensitive, fleshy root system. Good choices include azaleas, rhododendrons, and woodland perennials like hostas or certain ferns, all of which appreciate the dappled shade cast by the maturing Magnolia.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is crucial for this Magnolia; while the late bloom protects flowers, monitor soil moisture as growth accelerates in April and May, watering mediumly. Summer is best spent resisting heavy pruning; focus only on necessary clean-up or shaping immediately post-flowering. In fall, allow the leaves to drop naturally, noting their attractive yellow to bronze-copper coloration, and avoid soil disruption near the base. Winter preparation involves ensuring adequate mulch depth (but keeping mulch away from the trunk collar) to insulate the roots against severe freezes, especially in the colder reaches of Zone 4.
