Magnolia

Magnolias are grown primarily for their brightly coloured spring flowers, often borne on bare branches ahead of the leaves.

How to choose Magnolia

Magnolias are an ancient genus of flowering trees, grown primarily for their attractive flowers. The flowers are primitive, and the petals lack the protective sepals found in most flowering trees which evolved later. Instead they have tepals, which perform both functions - but this is the main reason why it is best to plant Magnolias in sheltered locations.

Compared to other flowering ornamental trees, Magnolias seem to have an unsually wide colour palette, with white, pink, yellow, purple, and red varieties available.

Many species are decidous but there are also semi-evergreen and full evergreen varieties.

Magnolias do best in well-drained soils and sheltered conditions, but they need plenty of water over the summer (use a mulch to help retain moisture). They are tolerant of clay and some varieties will also tolerate chalk, but they generally prefer neutral or slightly acidic conditions. Many are also tolerant of air pollution so are a good choice for city gardens.

Magnolias do not like to be transplanted, so plant the tree directly in its final position. They have quite shallow roots, so avoid planting anything else nearby.

Magnolias are mostly very cold-hardy, but paradoxically frost can easily spoil the appearance of the blossom, hence the recommendation to plant in a sheltered position.

You will sometimes see particular Magnolia varieties described as "precocious". In the case of Magnolias this term has a specific meaning - the flowers are borne in advance of the leaves. This is considered a desirable quality because the effect of the flowers is, arguably, heightened when displayed against bare branches.

Magnolias generally need little or no pruning. If pruning is necessary it should be carried out just after flowering is finished or in late summer. Pruning can be used to check the height of the tree - remove the thicker branches and prune back to the smaller newer flower-bearing newer shoots. You can also remove lower shoots to give a more tree-like appearance, although many Magnolias have a naturally shrub-like habit and will produce new shoots from low down on the main stem.

Magnolias don't usually produce nectar (they arose before insects evolved) so are not particularly helpful for bees, but many of them produce seeds which are attractive to wildlife.

Most of our Magnolias are grafted on to Magnolia kobus rootstocks - which are robust and hardy, and do not produce suckers.

Hybrid Magnolias are likely to flower within 1-2 years after planting. Older varieties may take 3-4 years, possibly as long as 5 years for species such as Magnolia sprengeri.

Magnolia

How to choose Magnolia

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