Kobus magnolia (Magnolia kobus)

Features and Characteristics

Magnolia kobus, commonly known as Kobus magnolia, is a small to medium deciduous tree or large shrub that is native to forest areas in Japan. As a tree, it is pyramidal when young, maturing to a spreading, dense, rounded form. It typically grows slowly to as much as 25-30’ over time with a similar to slightly larger spread. It is noted for its late winter to early spring bloom of goblet-shaped to cup-shaped, fragrant, often pink-tinged, white flowers (each to 4” across) which open in March before the foliage emerges. Obovate, aromatic, dark green leaves (3-6” long) are attractive throughout the growing season but produce little fall color (mediocre yellowish-brown). Trees flower poorly when young, and may need as much as 25 years before reaching best flowering status. Red seeds form in pods (to 3” long) that split open in fall. Seeds are attractive to birds. Kobus magnolia is similar to star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) except larger.

Specific epithet comes from the Japanese word kobushi meaning fist, in reference to flower bud shape resembling a small fist.