About
Large, spreading evergreen tree to 30m in height, with shining dark green leaves, grey-green beneath. perfumed, creamy-white flowers to 15cm across, with 3 tepals and 6 petals, are produced in early to midsummer, followed by ovoid fruits to 9cm long in early autumn; from sub-tropical Mexico.
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
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Native toMexico
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. Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts
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