Magnolia soulangea susan

Copperdog

we have a 7ft tall and wide Magnolia which usually flowers in spring only on bare branches but this year it’s flowered in the summer too although the pink buds haven’t really opened as such as they’ve been scorched by the heatwave, turned brown and fallen off. Is this normal or do you think it may not flower in spring now? Thankyou 

Paul B3

My Magnolia lilliiflora 'Jane' is of the same parentage ! Yours is not M.soulangeana which is a different species entirely .
There is an element of M.stellata involved in these hybrids , developed in the US in the 1950's . Given feminine names they proved extremely popular .
Mine , like yours , flowered in early summer , then again a secondary flowering about now , though not as spectacular .
Magnolias do not like extreme heat , which (unfortunately) is what we've had this year
Your shrubs pink buds have probably aborted as a result of this . They were originally (in habitat) semi-shade lovers and adapted to cool conditions .

I wouldn't be too concerned ; it's just the plants natural defence against abnormal circumstances .
Hopefully have put your mind at rest !

Copperdog

Thanks Paul. I was a little concerned as it has never flowered whilst in full leaf ever before only when it is bare branched around March.

purplerallim

Mine is Susan too and flowered last year and this year in late summer, still had lots of flower in spring, so don't worry. 😁

Copperdog

Many thanks Paul and Purpleallium that's really good to know.  We really rejuvenated the soil around the base of it this spring and the leaves look the best they ever have as I have been picking off slugs and snails everywhere in the garden once a fortnight and putting them in the brown bin for collection (can't bear to kill them myself) so perhaps its showing us it happy to be fed and looked after this year!.

Paul B3

Copperdog

Sounds like you've got a good plant there !

They're normally fairly trouble-free