Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora is a stately evergreen tree offering two gifts to florists: enormous, lemon-scented cream flowers and thick, glossy leaves backed with suede-brown felt. The blooms are among the most fragrant and architectural focals available, while the branches and foliage anchor large-scale installations and wreaths year-round. Cut flowers open quickly and are fleeting, so they are used at their moment of glory in luxury and event work. Few materials bring the same sculptural presence and Southern-garden grandeur.
| Family | Magnoliaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southeastern United States |
| Peak season | May, June, July |
| Availability | May, June, July, August |
| Stem length | 40–90 cm |
| Vase life | 3–7 days |
| Colors | cream, white |
| Price tier | premium |
Cut magnolia branches on a sharp angle and, for woody stems, split the base to help them drink. Place in deep, cool water and let them condition for several hours before use. Handle the open flowers as little as possible — the cream petals bruise brown quickly — and expect blooms to be short-lived even when well cared for. The foliage lasts far longer and can be used fresh or preserved.
- •Split woody stem bases for better uptake
- •Condition in deep cool water for hours
- •Handle open flowers minimally — petals bruise
- •Use flowers at peak; they are short-lived
- •Reserve the long-lasting foliage for greenery work
