Magnolias are one of the nation’s best loved trees. A large tree in full bloom during spring is a majestic sight. In this blog, we will concentrate on the deciduous forms, although evergreen varieties are also worth looking into.
Part of the Magnolia’s beauty lies in the fact that it flowers on virtually bare stems, the blooms seeming to smother the whole tree.
The largest trees, such as M. soulangeana, are shy to flower when young and are possibly too big for most gardens as they can reach heights of 15 metres, but there are plenty more compact, free flowering varieties available, some of which are suitable for container growing.
Magnolia stellata performs well in containers. White, star shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by green leaves. It’s slow growing and easy to care for, rarely needing pruning. A height of around 3m is achieved after 10 years. As with most Magnolias, it prefers acid soil, so use an ericaceous compost when planting and use an appropriate feed in spring. Watering regularly is a must, especially in hot weather.
If it’s a pink Magnolia you’re after, try Magnolia ‘Susan’, a bushy, upright but compact shrub with narrow goblet-shaped, fragrant flowers. The flowers are burgundy coloured in bud, opening to deep pink.
There are even yellow flowered magnolias. One of the finest is M. ‘Yellow Bird’, although you’ll need a large garden. Conical to 12m high, masses of lemon yellow flowers appear in March, along with fresh leaf growth.
Magnolias flourish best in rich, deep soil with good drainage. They prefer the soil to be on the acidic side, however many will tolerate some alkalinity and are surprisingly tolerant of heavy soil and air pollution. However, they have a shallow root system so find a sheltered position for them.
Magnolia plants should be pruned just enough to keep the plant open in the centre. Mature plants don’t respond well to heavy pruning so a tidy of dead branches should be all that is necessary.
This job is best carried out in the late summer or early autumn, as wounds may ‘bleed’ when plants are in active growth in the spring.
A thick mulch of leaf mould or compost in spring is beneficial.
ANCIENT POLLINATION
Magnolias are believed to be the earliest known flowering plants, with their fossils dating back over
100 million years!
Magnolia trees even existed before bees, so they rely on beetles for pollination. Instead of nectar, the flowers produce large quantities of pollen that the beetles use for food.
