About
Deciduous, upright tree about 15-20m tall or more, with elliptic, green leaves to 25cm long. In late spring producing striking, blue-green flower buds that mature to dark yellow flowers with dark blue-green outer petals, the flowers appear at the same time as foliage.
About the genus
Magnolia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with large, showy, often fragrant flowers, often opening before the leaves, and sometimes followed by colourful cone-like fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright, Bushy
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationPrefers moist, but well drained, neutral to acid soil, but it is tolerant of chalky soils. Mulch in spring to keep the soil moist if gardening on dryer soil. Plant in full sun or light shade with shelter from cold winds. Later frost may cause damage the flowers and foliage. For more information see magnolia cultivation advice
PruningPruning Group 1. See magnolia pruning
PropagationPropagate by taking semi-ripe cuttings or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, horse chestnut scale and capsid bug
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to coral spot, phytophthora, grey moulds, honey fungus, a virus or fungal leaf spot