Magnolia blooming date in Vancouver?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by SW Gemmell, Feb 16, 2012.

  1. SW Gemmell

    SW Gemmell Member

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    Location:
    Surrey,B.C.
    Prime blooming dates for magnolias in Vancouver area is the question. Same need as those planning cherry blossom related events. Thanks for your time and input. Much appreciated.
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    WA USA (Z8)
    Probably about April 1, as they seem to be about 2 weeks behind us and we usually peak March 15. Since Portland appears to be 2 weeks ahead of us, theoretically one could see the same kind in bloom 3 times in one year, by following the sequence northward.
     
  3. Westerly

    Westerly Member

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    Location:
    Lower Mainland, BC, Canada
    Hi there,
    On the North Shore in the Lower Mainland. It really depends on the type of magnolia tree and which municipality. (Can vary greatly throughout the Lower Mainland eg. North Shore vs White Rock vs Abbotsford...

    They can bloom as early as late February if we do not have a harsh winter. My star magnolia has bloomed in early March but this year it will be a bit later because of this coolish Feb we have had...only about 2 degrees below normal so far but enough to stop the buds from coming out as early as they did the last few years.

    Star Magnolias seem to be the earliest, then the other come out. For instance, my Star comes out end of Feb or 1st week March, but a parrot or tulip magnolia, just 5 blocks away, comes out end of March or early April...

    An idea would be to check all the different types and then also take into account exposure and inland vs mountain and rainfall variances. Also, if you plant in containers or rockeries then that alters the winter and summer temperatures of the plant and makes a real difference re blooming periods.
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Similar variations due to site conditions (and kind of magnolia) occur in Seattle and Portland, of course. The only thing one can plan around is general patterns, that is times when many specimens in the community are liable to be blooming at once - based on previous years.
     
  5. SW Gemmell

    SW Gemmell Member

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    Excellent, Good stuff, Thanks
     

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