About

Attractive, deciduous tree of conical habit, about 10m tall, with dark green leaves, bronze when young. Cup-shaped, primrose-yellow flowers are scented, to 15cm across with about 8 tepals, produced in mid and late spring before and with the emerging leaves.

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
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds. Further magnolia cultivation advice
PruningMinimal pruning required, see magnolia pruning. Deciduous magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
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