About
Masses of gorgeously sweet, scented, orange to golden yellow flowers appear in the spring. A large, tender, fast-growing, evergreen shrub or tree which can reach to a height of 40m in its native surroundings, with slightly drooping, glossy dark green leaves. Primarily grown in warmer parts of Asia and unlikely to survive outdoors in the UK. The oil from the flowers is used as an ingredient in perfumes in Asia.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Sub-tropical
Native toS India to SC China and Lesser Sunda Is.
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationCold-sensitive variety which is unlikely to grow well in the British climate. Resents root disturbance. See magnolia cultivation for further advice
PruningPrune to retain the shape and health of the tree; see magnolia pruning
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or propagate by seed. Success rates with both are generally extremely low - cuttings from mature plants may not flower for 1 to 2 years. Plants grown via seed may take up to 10 years to flower
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