Magnolia campbellii ‘Betty Jessel’
Magnolia campbellii is native to the Himalaya, where it makes a huge deciduous tree, with enormous, waterlily-like flowers, varying in colour from white through pink to rose-purple. There are many forms and hybrids of this magnificent species. The clone shown here was raised (and named after his wife) by Sir George Jessel, of Kent, UK, from a seedling of a very dark form of M. campbellii, which grew in the Botanical Garden of Darjeeling. ‘Betty Jessel’ flowers are borne in late spring and can measure as much as 25cm (10in) across. Its green obovate leaves are to 30cm (12in) long.
Cultivation Does well in a reasonable depth of fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Add a mulch of compost or leaf mould to help conserve moisture.
Height to 9m (30ft); spread to 6m (20ft). USZ 7–11, surviving -17°C (2°F) of overnight frost. Requires summer water. Z7.