Butterflies magnolia tree brings color to springtime

Imagine coming upon a tree filled with blossoms resembling bright yellow butterflies spreading their wings in the springtime sunshine.

That's the scene Michigan magnolia breeder Phil Savage came upon one spring, on a tree he had nurtured from a seedling.

Not surprisingly, Savage named the tree Butterflies. A cross between the hardy cucumber magnolia and the Sawada's Cream magnolia, it has gone on in the ensuing two decades to gain praise from horticulturists around the world as the best yellow magnolia you can grow.

My husband Don and I consider our own Butterflies one of our most delightful trees and look forward every spring to its brief but thrilling springtime show. Unlike some other yellow magnolias, the bright yellow of Butterflies doesn't fade. The flowers also have a light fragrance we enjoy.

Planted as a tiny sapling a decade ago, our Butterflies now stands about 15 feet tall and has been flowering for the last six years. The flowers appear early on leafless branches. A little later to bloom than some other magnolias, the blossoms of Butterflies are not as likely to be damaged by frosts.

Other hardy magnolias that perform well in Midwest landscapes include white-flowered Merrill and Royal Star, fuchsia-pink Leonard Messel, red-purple Ann, and creamy-yellow Elizabeth.

A magnolia's small size makes it easy to fit into most landscapes. If you decide to plant one this spring, look for a spot where you can nestle it in the partial shade beneath some taller trees. A backdrop of evergreens will serve both to protect flowers from wind damage and also provide the best stage to show off the magnolia's blossoms.

Moist, well-drained soil is ideal. An alkaline soil is not. If the pH of your soil is high, it will help to incorporate organic materials such as compost or sphagnum moss before you plant. Every few years in winter, add soil sulfur according to package directions to maintain acidity.

After planting, add a layer of mulch three or four inches deep. It will conserve soil moisture, keep the tree's roots cool, and eliminate the need for cultivating, which could damage a magnolia's shallow root system.

When planting any tree, follow these additional tips:

• Dig a planting hole only as deep as the root ball but two to three times as wide.

• Remove any rope, twine or wire that could impede growth.

• Water regularly in dry weather during the first year.

• Stake your tree only if it's unusually large or if your site is unusually windy.