'Blushing Magnolias.'
This is a recent acrylic painting I enjoyed doing, especially as magnolias are one of my favourite flowers.
Magnolias are a genus of the Magnoiliaceae family and are at their best during winter or early spring. They are named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. Magnolia is an ancient genus and they appeared before bees did. The theory is that Magnolias evolved via pollination by beetles.
Magnolia Grandiflora are also called Southern Magnolia of Bull Bay. These striking evergreen trees are characterized by their large dark green leaves which measure 20 cm long and 12 cm wide. Their fragrant flowers reach 30 cm in diameter. These white, showy flowers feature a lemon citronella scent and contain six to twelve petals with a waxy texture which grow from the tips of twigs on mature trees.
They are endemic to the subtropical forests on the Gulf and south Atlantic coastal plains. Magnolia grandiflora is extensively cultivated in warmer areas globally. Due to the hard and heavy timber the wood is used commercially to produce furniture, pallets, and veneer.
All magnolias look resplendent, displayed on branches from the smallest buds to the fullest blooms. Colours of the different varieties available range from port wine, burgundy, pink and white. Although they are slow growing, they are long lasting plants.
Magnolia grandiflora are capable of producing seed by 10 years of age, but the greatest seed production occurs closer to 25 years of age. Approximately 50% of seeds can germinate, and these seeds are distributed by birds, mammals, squirrels, opossums, quail, and turkey as animals are known to eat the seeds.
They do well in coastal areas with a little salt spray and can tolerate windy conditions. Sever winters will turn the foliage bronze and the plants will blotch and burn especially when grown in full sun, however many of the leaves will remain until they are replaced by new spring foliage. In countries where the ground freezes, the winter sun creates more damage than the cold.
Magnolia grandiflora have the reputation as being the most drought tolerant out of all the Magnolia species, once established.
THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
