About
Magnolia salicifolia, the willow-leaved magnolia, is a broadly conical, deciduous tree to 10 m with narrow, willow-like, pale-green leaves to 10 cm, whitish beneath and lemon-scented when bruised. Aromatic, star-shaped, white flowers to 10 cm across with six narrow, spreading tepals open before the leaves in mid-spring. An elegant specimen magnolia for a sheltered, sunny 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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Architectural, City and courtyard gardens
Native toJapan
FragranceFlower, Foliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds. See further magnolia cultivation advice
PruningMinimal pruning required, see magnolia pruning. Deciduous magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed in autumn and spring, by softwood or greenwood cuttings from late spring to early summer or by semi-hardwood 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