How to grow Magnolias

Magnolias are a must have in the garden as they are super versatile and offer something new every season. Whether you’re planting one or have an existing tree, looking after them is Easy As.

PLANT TYPE

When it comes to plant type, there is something for every situation. Large trees can grow to up to 7m high to 5m wide, making them great features. While smaller varieties can be used as hedging or can be grown in pots.

Smaller types reach about 2m in height with the main difference being how their flowers look. Take your pick from deep magenta or cerise, through to rosy pinks and whites. Theres a wide range of types and colours available below:

SOULANGEANA VARIETIES:

These large trees (4m x 2.5m - 3.5m) are known for their large fragrant tulip-shaped flowers. The main varieties are:

• Soulangeana: Masses of tulip-shaped rosy purple flowers with white interiors appear on naked branches in spring.
• San Jose: Their large flowers are a deep rosy-purple on the outside, and white within.
• Cleopatara: Sensational cerise pink buds open to magnificent cup-shaped flowers on a small bushy tree. It blooms freely from a young age.

DENUDATA VARIETIES:

This plant produces magnificent large pure white fragrant bell-shaped flowers in spring. It grows up to 5m high to a width of 4m, and flowers from an early age.

MODERN HYBRIDS:

• Magnolia ‘Genie’: This medium-sized tree flowers early with a stunning display of deep burgundy-black buds, opening to medium-sized flowers of burgundy red. Grows 3m high to a width of 2m.
• Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’: These plants are suitable for the smaller garden as they have a compact growth habit with red-black flowers. This tree needs a few years for the flowers to be true to form, and grows up to 3.5m high to a width of 2.5m.
• Magnolia ‘Burgundy Star’: This is a good choice for smaller spacse as it has a narrow growth habit. It produces claret red flowers, and grows 3.5m high to a width of 1m.
• Magnolia ‘Vulcan’: MProduces large showy deep magenta flowers up to 25cm across. It may take a couple of years for the flowers to develop to their true size and colour. Grows 4.5m high to a width of 2.5m.

• Magnolia ‘Felix Jury’: Magnificent-sized fragrant flowers of red, ageing to a rosy pink. This tree needs a lot of space to grow, as it can get up to 5m high to a width of 3.5m.
• Magnolia ‘Galaxy’: Delightful rose-purple flowers are produced freely at an early age. Very cold hardy, with strong upright growth. It is a lovely focal tree that grows up to 5m high to a width of 4m.
• Magnolia ‘Honey Tulip’: Large tulip-shaped golden honeycoloured flowers smother the tree in early spring before the leaves emerge. It is a great specimen tree or excellent in the garden border. Grows up to 3.5m high to a width of 2.5m.
• Magnolia ‘Star Wars’: Its large deep pink flower buds open up to pink, even on very young plants. The flowers are longlived and weather resistant. It is an excellent focal tree with vigorous upright growth up to 6m high to a width of 4m.

TIMING

Magnolias are best planted in late winter to early spring. This is also when the widest choices are available in-store.

LOCATION

A sunny position is best, although they will tolerate light shade. They are hardy but avoid windy spots if you want to enjoy their flowers. Magnolias don’t like to be moved as it damages their fleshy roots and they struggle to recover, so choose your spot carefully. Make sure you choose the right plant type for your location, as they can grow to be quite big.

They can be planted in the lawn, in a large pot or container, or in the back of your garden beds.

SOIL

They prefer a slightly acidic soil, so avoid using lime. However they will do well in any good free-draining soil.

PLANTING

Magnolias are available to purchase during autumn and spring. You may find them grown in two ways: open grown in bags with loose soil or container grown, which are usually the large specimens and small trees.

When planting, be sure to cut any roots that are circling the root ball. Magnolias have a tendency to girdle (or become rootbound) if the roots aren’t spread out. This is especially important in container grown magnolias. If they have been open grown the plant may not have many roots, don’t worry they will establish as soon as you have planted them.

• Dig a hole twice as wide and a little deeper than the container.
• Add a base layer of compost and sheep pellets.

• Add some garden mix.
• Mix through with the existing soil.
• Remove magnolia from container and tease out the roots if needed.
• Make sure the plant is level with the top of the hole, and back fill with soil.
• Water.
• Add a layer of mulch.
• Use a stake if required, and tie it to the tree just below the first big branch.

WATERING

Water a couple of times a week in the first few years, especially over the summer months, but once established they can tolerate a moderate drought.

FEEDING

You don’t need to fertilise your new plant until the next growing season, which is in autumn. Then feed with an acid food monthly across autumn and winter for the first 3 years.

PRUNING

Magnolias need minimal pruning, and you only really need to prune for shape. This is best done just after flowering as they flower on the previous year’s growth.

Use pruning paste to seal any large cuts and if you want to put the flowers in a vase, cut back to the base of the branch. That will give you a tidier look and protect against die back.

PESTS AND DISEASE

Pest and diseases rarely affect the tree and any problems are more likely due to unsuitable conditions.

Magnolias are susceptible to bark damage and breakage, so avoid hitting them with a line trimmer or lawn mower.

If you’re worried, come and see us in store.