About
Magnolia grandiflora, the evergreen magnolia, is a large, rounded evergreen tree to 12 m or more with glossy, dark-green, leathery, oblong-elliptic leaves, often rusty-brown beneath. Highly scented, cup-shaped, cream flowers to 25 cm across are produced in late summer and autumn. One of the most magnificent of all broad-leaved evergreen trees for a sheltered, sunny wall or mild garden.
About the genus
Magnolia are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs producing large, often fragrant, showy flowers � sometimes before the leaves emerge � in shades of white, pink, red or purple, sometimes followed by ornamental, cone-like fruiting clusters.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toSE USA
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, well-drained preferably neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade. Tolerates dry, alkaline soil. See magnolia cultivation advice
PruningPruning group 9 or pruning group 13 if wall-trained. See magnolia pruning
PropagationPropagate 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