Hidden Treasures of the Arboretum: The Houpu Magnolia
The Magnolia officinalis var. biloba, on display at the entrance of the Hybrid Rhododendron Garden in the Arboretum. (Photo by Niall Dunne)
Washington Park Arboretum is home to the third largest collection of magnolias in the country. Among the many showy-flowered species, cultivars, and hybrid magnolias growing here, one is notable for the uniqueness of its foliage: Magnolia officinalis var. biloba, a variety of the Houpu or spice magnolia.
The Houpu magnolia is a deciduous tree from China. Its large leaves—up to 20 inches long by some accounts—have a bicolor appearance: pale green on the upper surface and finely downy beneath, giving a silvery effect. On the straight species, the leaf tips are rounded; but on biloba, each tip has a deep notch.
The flowers, which typically bloom in May and June—but are now strutting their stuff, thanks to our very warm spring—are large, loose-petaled, and fragrant. Read Daniel Mount’s short profile of the plant in the latest issue of the Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin, and don’t miss seeing this botanical treasure for yourself!
