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Black Lily Magnolia | Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'

Abundant showy blooms

Grown by Mike's trusted specialists

Europe

Tree in a 4.5L Pot

60-90cm inc. pot on arrival

Choose your size

Star Magnolia Tree | Magnolia stellata 'Water Lily' Ornamental Trees
Star Magnolia Tree | Magnolia stellata 'Water Lily' Ornamental Trees

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Black Lily Magnolia
Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra'

  • A wonderful, floriferous magnolia, 'Nigra' dazzles with its large purple flowers and long, dark green leaves.
  • With a long flowering season from late spring through summer, this magnolia (also known as a Mulan magnolia) makes for a brilliant specimen tree.
  • Growing to just a few metres tall, 'Nigra' is perfect for smaller gardens and can even be grown in a patio container.
  • A recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, this variety has been recognised as performing particularly well in British gardens.
  • Fully hardy, low-maintenance and easy to grow, this magnolia deserves a starring role in any garden.
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What to expect

Supplied as

Potted tree
Tree in a 4.5L pot

Height on arrival

60-90cm inc. pot

Eventual height

2.5-3m

Eventual spread

2-2.5m
Spreads approximately 2-2.5m.

Flower colour

Purple
Tulip-shaped flowers with a reddish purple exterior and a paler interior (from spring to summer).

Habit

Bushy
A free-flowering, bushy tree densely packed with large, deciduous leaves.

Hardiness

Fully hardy
H6 - Hardy down to -20°C.

Spacing

3m
Plant three metres apart to allow for spreading.

Will this grow in my garden?

Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, Black Lily Magnolia can be grown in a pot. Use a large container (60cm+) with ericaceous compost. It is suitable long-term if fed well. Protect the roots from freezing below -5°C.

How big does it get?

The Black Lily Magnolia typically reaches a height of 3 to 4 metres, with a spread of 2 to 3 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.

How much sunlight does this need?

Black Lily Magnolia prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.

What kind of soil does this plant prefer?

Black Lily Magnolia prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil to thrive. Ensure the soil does not freeze below -5°C for optimal root health, applying a 5cm layer of mulch in winter.

How much watering does this plant need?

Black Lily Magnolia requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.

Will this plant need pruning?

Black Lily Magnolia should be pruned in late winter or early spring while dormant, removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.

How hardy is this plant?

Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, making it hardy down to -15°C in most of the UK, but its early flowers can be damaged by late frosts.

The wider garden

Europe

Meet Mike's trusted specialists

Start with a touch of continental sun

Over 99% of our plants are grown in the UK, but where that’s not possible, Mike 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 Cotswolds, to toughen them up for UK gardens.

What customers say about us

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Anne Margaret, 21 hours ago
As always a pleasure to do bus...
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Lucy, 3 days ago
Great product very healthy tree
Great product very healthy tree
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Asha Duttweiler, 4 days ago
Plants in excellent condition
The plants I ordered arrived soon after ordering in excellent condition...
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Mary, 6 days ago
Brilliant service
I have had several plants from roots now and all been very good and sti...

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