What is the difference between red magnolia and purple magnolia? Here's how to tell them apart quickly

1. Are they one plant

In fact, what we usually call "red magnolia" and "purple magnolia" is one plant. Look at their pictures, and you will find that whichever plant it is, their color is the same, with no obvious difference. Indeed, there is no essential difference between them. If you insist on naming a difference, then it is only the name that differs.

2. Why the names differ

Above we said that they are essentially one plant, yet their names differ. Why is that? It turns out that the reason people sometimes call it "red magnolia" and sometimes "purple magnolia" is that they are comparing it with different things. Specifically, whichever plant it is, its color is purplish red. So, when comparing it with varieties such as "white magnolia" and "yellow magnolia", we generally call it "red magnolia". This is because, in terms of color contrast, the contrast among red, white and yellow is fairly obvious. However, considering that its flower color is purplish red, when it is not being compared with other varieties, we are used to calling it "purple magnolia". It is precisely for this reason that their names differ.

3. Their origins

Without doubt, their origins are the same as well. Specifically, both are produced by using "white magnolia" as the rootstock, taking the buds of "purple/red magnolia" as the scion, and then cultivating them through grafting. They differ from other varieties. They bear purplish red flowers, and they bloom first and grow leaves afterward. In addition, they can blossom twice in a year.