About
A large tree with a conical habit, up to 10m in height, with glossy dark green leaves with brown, furry undersides. Large, scented, open cup-shaped white flowers are produced from summer through to autumn, even on younger specimens Image credit: Milan havlis © www.havlis.cz.
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 hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright, Bushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
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 softwood cuttings from late spring to early summer or semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn
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