About
Magnolia _loebneri 'Leonard Messel' is a rounded, deciduous shrub or small tree to about 8 m with narrowly mid-green leaves to 12 cm. Lilac-pink, paler-within, scented flowers to 10 cm across with about twelve narrow tepals open before the leaves in mid-spring. One of the most reliable and ornamental of the hybrid magnolias for a sheltered 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, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds. Will grow in moist alkaline soils. Further magnolia cultivation advice
PruningMinimal pruning required, see magnolia pruning. Deciduous magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
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