Magnolia acuminata Blue Baby

The Magnolia Blue Baby is a superb recent variety that stands out for its astonishing blue flower buds. This small tree, about 3 to 4 m (10 to 13 ft) tall, with an upright habit, surprises in spring with this uncommon color in the plant kingdom. Turning green before blooming into beautiful yellow flowers, these buds are a focal point in the garden. Hardy and tolerant of different soil types, this small Magnolia prefers acidic soils but can also tolerate some limestone. It simply needs a bit of moisture at the roots and a sunny to semi-shaded exposure.

Magnolias make up the most important genus in the Magnoliaceae family, which also includes the Liriodendron (Tulip Tree) and perhaps a few other genera, as botanists do not all agree on the classification of this family of archaic plants, easily recognizable by their flowers whose stamens and pistils are arranged spirally, rather than in concentric circles like in more evolved plants, and whose petals and sepals are morphologically undifferentiated, hence the term "tepals". The name Magnolia was given in 1703 by Charles Plumier, botanist of King Louis XIV, paying tribute to the physician-botanist Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), who was one of the directors of the Botanical Garden of Montpellier in the late 17th century.
From the crossbreeding between the vigorous North American Magnolia acuminata with yellow flowers, and the Chinese M. denudata with white flowers, a first variety was born, Blue Opal, with blue flower buds, hence its evocative name. Through cross-pollination of this variety, breeders then obtained Blue Baby, an improvement of the original variety with a more intense blue color.
Blue Baby forms a more compact small tree, reaching a height of 3 to 4 m (10 to 13 ft) and a width of about 2 meters. It is thus even better suited to small gardens, especially in urban areas. Its beautiful smooth green leaves, with an obovate shape, provide a perfect setting for the surprising blue flower buds. When they open, they turn to a yellow-green color before blooming into a beautiful pronounced yellow flower. This flowering in May-June is one of the highlights of spring. Great for planting in a flowerbed and also worth planting this small tree as a standalone specimen on a short grass meadow to be able to admire it and dazzle any visitors. To top it off, the flowering can also occur once again in autumn.
Hardy down to -20°C (1°F), or even lower, it is rather accommodating regarding soil pH, preferring acidic soils but still tolerating some limestone. However, it prefers fresh, well-drained soils and does not appreciate drought. Accepting full sun, this small tree can also grow in partial shade, especially in warmer areas.

This Magnolia Blue Baby is a true botanical curiosity. In a small-sized garden, it will be perfect as a standalone specimen on the short grass meadow, and in a more spacious area, it can also be integrated into a flowerbed with various plants. To have year-round blooms, plant Hamamelis alongside it, with their winter yellow, orange, or red flowers, which have a delicate spider-like grace with their elongated filaments resembling legs. With their flamboyant autumn colors, they perfectly complement the scene! For the height of summer, the essential Hydrangeas will delight you with their irresistibly charming flowers. Go off the beaten track and try the less-known Hydrangea aspera Macrophylla, which has a more natural, less cultivated appearance, and whose mauve flowering in July-August will take over from your Blue Baby's flowering. 

Anecdote:
Magnolias are ancient trees, with fossils dating back over 20 million years. Their magnificent flowering is considered one of the most primitive: their flowers are evolutionarily close to the earliest existing flowers. The bark of magnolias has medicinal properties and is used in cosmetics, while their wood is considered precious.