About
Rare in cultivation, a large, spreading evergreen tree about 30m in height, with leathery, glossy, dark green leaves to 15cm long, greyish-white beneath, produced at the branch tips. Large, scented, white flowers with spreading tepals are often red-tinged on the outside, and emerge from red buds, in summer.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeTrees, Shrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Architectural, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Sub-tropical
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade with shelter from cold winds. Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C. See magnolia cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 9
PropagationPropagate by seed in autumn and spring, by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn or layering in early spring
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