About
Large rounded evergreen shrub or tree to 10m tall, with broad, leathery dark green leaves, to 35cm long, and aromatic, cup-shaped flowers to 20cm across are creamy-white flushed pink, produced in late summer; a good plant for wall-training.
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, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade with shelter from cold winds. Flowers may be damaged by late frosts. Tolerant of alkaline soils. 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