About
A compact, evergreen shrub from New Zealand with small, leathery, elliptic, mid-green leaves and small, white or cream flowers in spring, followed by small, dark blue-black berries. A neat, ornamental shrub for a sheltered, cool, woodland or coastal garden.
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
Plant details
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds. Will tolerate dry, alkaline soil conditions. See magnolia cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 9 or can be wall-trained, see magnolia pruning
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