About

A large shrub or small, spreading deciduous tree reaching to 10m tall and 6m wide with elliptic leaves 5-20cm long. The slightly perfumed,cup-shaped flowers borne in late spring are a pale pink inside and a purplish-pink outside, the outer tepals tinged yellowish-green; fruits are pinkish-red.

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
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Architectural
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationPrefers a moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade. Late frosts may damage flower buds. Further magnolia cultivation advice
PruningKeep pruning to a minimum; magnolia pruning should be carried out in midsummer when in full leaf
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings
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