About
Deciduous tree about 6-8m or more in height, with broadly oval, mid-green leaves, and bearing scented, tulip-shaped flowers to 8cm across, appearing before the leaves in early spring, pink on the outside, shading deeper at the base, and creamy-white inside.
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
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard 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. See magnolia cultivation
PruningMinimal pruning required, see magnolia pruning. Deciduous magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn
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