Saucer Magnolia
Magnolia × soulangeana
This Magnolia originated in France in the 1820s as a hybrid of two Asian species by Chevalier Etienne Soulange-Bodin, Director of the French Royal Institute. Cultivated in America since the 1840s. Jefferson noted American native Magnolias in his planting schemes, but not this now popular variety.
The planting of "Umbrella" (Magnolia tripetala) on April 2, 1767, along with several other plants, is among Jefferson's earliest garden notations.
Magnolias continued to feature in Jefferson's planting schemes throughout his life. Although Saucer Magnolia, a hybrid cross of Magnolia denudata and M. liliiflora dating from 1820 in France, was never grown at Monticello in Jefferson's lifetime, its large, early-blooming flowers of white, pink, and maroon, are a welcome harbinger of spring here.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
When you're here...
Between April and October, all house tours come with a free guided Garden Tour, or you can explore the grounds on your own with the Bloomberg Connects App
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
