Magnolia Trees

Magnolias make the perfect centrepiece with their clouds of fragrant flowers. Naturally compact, they go well in borders and pots, and these eye-catching trees have actually been around since the Cretaceous period! Using only the healthiest rootstocks, our magnolia trees are traditionally grown to make them strong and hardy in even the coldest winters.

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Over 99% of our plants are grown in the UK, but where that’s not possible, Josh sources the best specialist growers in Europe for the job. Think citrus warmed by Sicilian sun, topiary trained by Dutch masters, almonds nourished in the Dordogne and bamboo bathed in Tuscan heat. Our handpicked growers nurture these plants to maturity before handing over to our team in the South Downs, to toughen them up for UK gardens.

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Which magnolia should you choose?

Which magnolia should you choose?

There are a large number of different magnolias out there, including those with goblet, bowl (or saucer) and star-shaped blooms, those that radiate a fragrance, those that are evergreen – really, there’s a magnolia for everybody. If you’ve got a garden on the smaller end of the spectrum, then a dwarf magnolia like ‘Susan’, which grows to just three metres, is ideal. For year-round interest, pick 'François Treyve', whose evergreen foliage ensures appeal throughout the year, and as for its blooms? Well, they’re fragrant and up to 25cm across! If petal power is what you’re after, then ‘Water Lily’ star magnolia is the pick for you, with flowers of up to 32 individual petals each.

Magnolia tree planting schemes

Magnolia tree planting schemes

Magnolias work in a wide number of planting schemes; from Japanese to hostas, heucheras and hellebores. Magnolias look brilliant planted alongside flowering shrubs like camellias and rhododendrons, as well as hydrangeas, dogwoods and viburnum.

Caring for magnolia trees

Caring for magnolia trees

Magnolias are nice and easy to look after; when establishing, water your tree regularly. Once established, it will only need watering during hot, dry spells. In terms of the soil, loamy and fertile is best, with good levels of drainage (though still some moisture retention). In terms of soil pH, something either acidic or neutral works best. If you’ve got alkaline soil, then you might want to grow a smaller, dwarf variety and grow it in a large container. A sheltered spot away from the wind is ideal, and avoid (if possible) planting in a spot prone to frost.

Magnolia Trees FAQs

What month do magnolia trees bloom?

Magnolias typically bloom from early spring to the heart of summer, depending on the variety. Saucer and star magnolias tend to flower in early spring, before the leaves emerge, with evergreen magnolias blooming later on in summer.

Do magnolias flower on old or new wood?

Magnolias flower on old wood, with the buds starting to form from the previous summer onwards. You should prune deciduous magnolias immediately after flowering and evergreen magnolias can be pruned in early spring, before flowering, or straight after flowering as with their deciduous counterparts.

Do magnolia trees bloom more than once a season?

Magnolia trees don’t generally bloom more than once, however deciduous magnolias might be blessed with a smaller, second flush of flowers in late summer if it’s been a particularly mild season.

How tall do magnolia trees grow?

It depends on the species and variety. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Susan’, for instance, grow to just two or three metres tall and wide, while the evergreen magnolia ‘François Treyve’, by contrast, can grow to more than 12 metres! Don’t worry, though, larger magnolias can be pruned much smaller.

Where is the best place to plant a magnolia tree?

Magnolia trees do best in a sheltered spot in full sunshine (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day). Dappled/partial shade is also tolerable in most instances. Choose a spot with moist but well-drained soil; if your soil is on the poor side, consider amending with well-rotted manure.

What is the average lifespan of a magnolia tree?

Magnolias are long-lived trees and, with proper care, can live for well over 100 years. The world’s oldest magnolia is thought to be a saucer magnolia dating back roughly 400 years to Shaanxi province, in China.

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