Other Names:  Willow Leaf Magnolia

Description:

This lovely small ornamental tree has slender branches and narrow leaves which are likened to that of a willow; the leaves and bark have a powerful lemon or anise scent if bruised; large, white, starry soft petaled flowers in spring; prone to late frosts

Ornamental Features

W.B. Clarke Anise Magnolia is clothed in stunning fragrant white star-shaped flowers with tan eyes held atop the branches from mid to late spring before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The narrow leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy red pods displayed in early fall.

Landscape Attributes

W.B. Clarke Anise Magnolia is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

W.B. Clarke Anise Magnolia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

W.B. Clarke Anise Magnolia will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the foliage in alkaline soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.