Magnolia 'George Henry Kern' – compact magnolia with fragrant pink flowers (young plants)

Magnolia 'George Henry Kern' is a compact hybrid resulting from a cross between Magnolia stellata and Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'. It is prized for its moderate size, abundant flowering, and the pleasant fragrance of its flowers.

It forms a dense shrub or a small tree, usually 2–4 m tall. The flowers appear in spring (April–May), before or together with the leaves. They are cup- or goblet-shaped, pale pink on the inside and a deeper pinkish-purple on the outside. The buds are an attractive dark pink. The flowers are fragrant and have good longevity. The leaves are deep green and may develop bronze tones in autumn.

Key features:

• Pink flowers (pale pink with darker accents), fragrant
• Compact form, ideal for small gardens
• Abundant and relatively long-lasting flowering
• Good frost resistance (down to approximately -20°C)
• Slow to moderate growth
• Size: 2–4 m tall (may eventually grow slightly larger)

Easy care:

• Light: partial shade to full sun. Prefers a position sheltered from cold winds.
• Temperature: frost-resistant down to -18–20°C (some sources indicate even lower temperatures).
• Watering: moderate, especially during the first few years. Keep the soil slightly moist, without waterlogging.
• Soil: prefers slightly acidic to neutral, rich, well-drained soil.
• Pruning: minimal. Light pruning can be carried out after flowering to remove dead branches. 

Fragrant flowers: Yes

Height is approximate and is measured including the pot.