About
A small, upright, deciduous tree. The highly-scented, cup-shaped flowers, produced in late spring just as the leaves open, are pale yellow in bud, fading to ivory-white, and up to 20cm across.
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, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Architectural, 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. Late frosts may damage flower buds and/or flowers. See magnolia cultivation
PruningMagnolia pruning should be carried out in midsummer when in full leaf
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