TREES > MAGNOLIA

IN THIS GUIDE

MAGNOLIA GUIDES

white magnolia flowers with a bright background

Container Growing

Magnolia trees are beautiful flowering trees which can make a heroic statement in a garden .

Not everyone will be able-bodied to grow a Magnolia tree in their garden , but if you have the correct conditions and can give them what they need , then they are a truly beautiful deal .

pink flowers of a magnolia tree

M. kobus

small specimen can also be consider for a container garden .

Magnolia tree are trees or large shrubs with expectant and attractive efflorescence .

Interestingly , this is an ancient genus , which , according to the University of Illinois , germinate before the evolution of bee – its large , problematical efflorescence are retrieve to have develop for pollination by mallet and flies.1Magnolia Pollination . ( 2018 , May 5 ) . Illinois Extension . think March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-scoop/2025-01-09-magnolia-pollination

beautiful open white flower of Magnolia grandiflora

According to records from Kew , Magnolia are aboriginal to areas in North America and Asia.2Magnolia . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . regain March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000709-2

These trees are spreading in form , characterised by , and primarily chosen for , their self-aggrandizing , fragrant blossom , which can fare in a range of different hue – and most are bowling ball or star - mold .

The dramatic flowers of works in this genus make them a popular horticultural choice .

shrubby foliage of M. delavayi

Overview

PreferredFull Sun or Dappled Shade

ExposureSheltered

Height2 – 14 M

magnolia kobus tree with many white flowers

Spread4 – 8 M

Bloom TimeMarch – August

PreferredMost Soil Types

pink flowering M. liliiflora with many conifers in the background

MoistureMoist but well drain

pHNeutral / Alkaline

Of of course , Magnolia trees are normally grown as decorative additions to a garden – to leave beautiful peak , but this is not the only reason to consider grow a Magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in your garden .

large white flower of M x loebneri in focus with long petals

Magnolia grandiflorapetals , for example , are sometimes pickled and used as spicy flavouring – and the flush of many mintage are considered edible.3Matilda , A. ( 2022 , August 20).Pickled magnolia : spring ’s first flowers are edible , with a powerful spicy kick . The Guardian . Retrieved March 21 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/aug/21/pickled-magnolias-springs-first-flowers-are-edible-with-a-potent-spicy-kick

Magnolia Varieties

There are a bit of dissimilar Magnolia tree to opt from – resolve on the ripe magnolia to produce is an all important part of the photograph .

You need to think about which magnolia will be suitable for your own special garden . You might choose :

Magnolias can vary quite significantly from one another – some are deciduous and some are evergreen , and each one has a clear-cut flower flesh , colour and form .

white flowers of magnolia salicifolia with thick brown branches

“ For inspiration on which diverseness to choose I extremely recommend a visit to Borde Hill Garden in West Sussex , ” advocate Dan Ori , a Master Horticulturist .

“ You will experience a howling collection of Magnolias from March to May , with most plants hands down labelled . ”

How To Grow A Magnolia Tree

Most magnolia Tree must be grow in full sun , in a warm and sheltered position .

They are typically H6 hardy , but their flowers can easily be damaged by rime in the outpouring and Robert Lee Frost can also damage evergreen plant foliation in autumn .

A sheltered internet site is specially of import – M. grandifloraandM. delavayiwill thrive when espaliered against a fond due south - facing wall , and may not survive the winter outside in surface area where wintertime temperature fell below roughly -5 ° one C .

huge sprawling magnolia stellata with many white flowers in bloom

idle words harm can be a problem , so magnolia must be planted where wind instrument rock-and-roll and wind damage to leave will not be a problem .

Most magnolia trees will do best in an acid or neutral soil – however , many Magnolia coinage can support alkaline weather .

In dry alkaline condition , M. grandifloraorM. delayvayicould be good option to believe .

white petals and orange centres on the flowers of m. virginiana

On moister grunge , M. kobus , M.xloebneriorM. wilsoniicould be good bets . M. grandifloraandM. virginianawill tolerate wetter territory conditions .

However , if you do have alkaline grease , particularly very alkaline ground , you will unremarkably do better to arise a smaller magnolia specimen in a container , with a fairly acidulous potting commixture .

“ I have had success on moist but not waterlogged alkaline grease withMagnoliastellata , ” adds Dan .

magnified view of a single M. wilsonii flower with green leaves

“ This spring sensation with showy fragrant efflorescence often blooms before leaves emerge giving you a splendid configuration of lily-white blooms enhance by a background signal of dismal radical . ”

If you do not have an area with full sunshine and would like to spring up a magnolia in light , dappled shade , then late - flowering coinage likeM. sieboldiiandM. wilsoniican stand this best .

However , you should always raise magnolia in full Lord’s Day here in the UK where possible .

potted magnolia shown next to a planting hole and spade

These later flowering metal money can also be the best wager in cooler , more northerly regions .

Magnolias are usually best plant in the autumn , or in the late spring .

Since these trees have rather shallow stem , you do not need to dig a very deep yap so planting is relatively easy .

white flowers of Magnolia kobus with branches in the background

M. kobus

Make certain that you dig your planting muddle to the same astuteness as the potty the magnolia came in , and make certain that the point where it has been graft is not below the soil .

Avoid doing any damage to the roots of the plant , since any damage to the roots can strike flowering .

Firm the land back gently around the tree , pack it down , and water well .

potted magnolia being planted into a recently dug hole

It is a good theme to mulch around your fresh magnolia tree with an constituent mulch of bark , foliage mould or garden compost .

Magnolia Tree Care

To push well maturation and goodly unfolding , make certain a magnolia have as much Dominicus as potential .

However , it is also of import to see to it that the soil in the planting location does not dry out during the summertime months .

Always take care to water system in dry weather , specially before the tree reaches maturity date .

M. virginiana flower in focus with green foliage in the background

M. virginiana

recall , tearing demand will be high when a magnolia is grow in a container .

Once your magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has bloom ( which , bet on change , will be sometime between March and August ) , this is a serious fourth dimension to contract any necessary pruning .

magnolia should only be pruned lightly , to remove any dead , discredited , diseased branches , or any offset which cover and are rubbing against one another .

secateurs being used to prune branches of a magnolia tree

These trees do not reply well to more utmost pruning , and can stop flowering when pruned too zealously .

If you have a mature magnolia tree that take renovation , it is best to attempt this work step by step over a number of years – pruning only a few branches at a time so as to reduce stress .

Each springtime , you should fill again the mulch around your magnolias , to maintain fertility .

branches of magnolia shown against a cloudy blue sky

apply composted wood chip or bark , folio cast , compost , or a well - rot manure .

Should you wish to propagate new plant from a Magnolia tree , this can be done by taking cut .

It is better to take deal cuttings from deciduous magnolia in former summertime , and semi - mature newspaper clipping from evergreen types in belated summertime or early fall .

However , note that this is not the easiest garden task for beginners , and cuttings may need special light and estrus in winter .

Lack Of Flowering

The most common issue encountered by those examine to grow Magnolia tree is a lack of flowering .

It is most important to make certain that you have plant your Magnolia tree diagram in an appropriate posture , and select the right species for your situation .

It is also important to observe , however , that newly plant trees might not bloom at first .

It can take a few years for a new plant Magnolia tree to ‘ make up in ’ before it flowers .

References