Size
Up to 2m after 10 years and can be pruned after flowering to keep to a particular height and shape
Other options for early spring colour
Magnolia Stellata – Bright white star shaped flowers
Forsythia – bright yellow small flowers
Flowering Currant – clusters of bright pink flowers
Camellia Japonica – various from white to deep red, early spring on evergreen
Growing Conditions
Prefers sun or partial shade, plant in a sheltered site to get the best flowers. Buds can be damaged by late frosts and petals dislodged by winds
Effort to Grow
Easy to medium, if you plant it in the right spot it will grow away well. Medium effort if you want to keep it a particular size and shape
Why plant this tree in your garden?
Magnolia is large shrub or small tree, usually deciduous with showy flowers in early spring. Like forsythia magnolia blooms before the leaves come out. Some forms develop an ornamental ‘fruit’ in the summer
Grow it for early spring colour and bright foliage in the summer months.
What to look out for when planting and in the first 2 years
Keep well watered in first years, and be patient, they can take a few years to settle and to start to flower.
What to look out for when the tree is established (2 years or more after planting or if you inherit it)
Generally hardy, if buds turn black they are frost damaged, if leaves turn yellow the soil is too alkaline. Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
