About
Large evergreen shrub or small tree about 4-6m tall, with an open habit and glossy dark green leaves up to 20cm long, green felted beneath. Globular, perfumed white flowers open widely and are produced in summer.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees, Shrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, 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. Will grow in moist alkaline soils. See magnolia cultivation for further 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