Ashe's Magnolia (Magnolia Ashei) Seeds
This has to be one of our most intriguing native Magnolias which grows in only 6 counties of the Florida panhandle. It reminds me of a small M. macrophylla.
It has leaves up to 24" long, shaped somewhat like a violin with silvery undersides. But without a doubt, its most incredible asset is its 10" fragrant white flowers on plants as small as 1 foot.
It will usually flower in 3 to 4 years from seed, so one can count on flowers on very small plants. I would consider it a large multi-trunked shrub to a small tree, where it can reach up to 12-15' in our lifetime, but a mature plant can mature at 30' high with an equal spread.
It is considered the rarest of our native Magnolias. The fall color is yellow. Give it good drainage and uniform moisture for the best growth. Sun to part shade.
Name: Ashe's Magnolia
Scientific Name: Magnolia ashei
Hardiness zone: 4 through 9
Plant height: 20-25 feet
Light requirements: full sun to part shade
Soil & water preferences grow well in well-drained loams.
Growing Instructions:
1. Scarification: Soak in water for 24hrs
2. stratification: cold stratify for 120days. Check every two weeks to make sure seeds are moist and that seeds are not molding. if there is a sign of mold, seeds should be soaked in 3:2 parts of water: bleach then rinsed with clean water and put back into cold stratification.
3. germination: sow seeds 1/2" deep in moist soil