A burst of the spectacular is just what’s needed as late winter clings to its cold, grey days. And nothing is as spectacular as the bare, twisted limbs of a magnolia tree exploding with flamboyant flowers.
As one of the oldest flowering plants on Earth, magnolias bloomed long before bees existed and are pollinated by beetles. The waxy flowers produce a strong, lingering, sweet, citrusy fragrance. Just before the flowers fade, leaves emerge – soft, oval-shaped in a vibrant mid-green. After flowering, magnolias blend into the background while creating a dynamic backdrop to what else is happening in your garden. Here’s how to grow magnolias, from deciduous varieties to evergreen trees that don’t lose their leaves.
How to grow magnolias
- When to plant: Late winter to early spring for colder areas, autumn for warm regions.
- Climate: The biggest threat to deciduous magnolias is a late spring frost, which can turn open blooms brown overnight. Plant in a sheltered spot.
- Aspect: Full sun or partial shade, protected from harsh winds that can damage early buds.
- Water: Water deeply until the plant is established, which takes about a year. Once the magnolia is established, water well during dry summer spells while they are setting next year’s buds.
- Soil type: Rich, well-draining.
- Feeding: In spring and autumn.
Where do magnolias originate?
Most deciduous magnolias are native to China and Japan. Evergreen magnolias, with their glossy leaves and huge summer flowers, are from North America. But they are in the same botanical family.
The flowering on naked branches draws attention to their architectural form – a stark, minimalist canvas for brilliant blooms. Blooming before leaves emerge means the large flowers are unobstructed, making them highly visible to late-winter pollinators.
The best deciduous magnolia varieties to grow in Australia
Deciduous magnolias come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours, from pure white to deep, velvety purples.
Saucer magnolia
(Magnolia × soulangeana)
The undisputed queen of the deciduous varieties, this hybrid was developed in 19th-century France and has huge, goblet-shaped blooms that are creamy white on the inside and flushed with pink or purple on the outside.
Star magnolia
(M. stellata)
This is a smaller, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree suitable for small gardens. It’s the earliest to bloom, with flowers that have delicate, ribbon-like white petals that fan out like exploding stars.
Yellow magnolia
(M. acuminata)
These hybrids bear large and fragrant tulip- or goblet-shaped yellow flowers. They are originally from North America. The flowers are not as showy as other deciduous magnolias, and sit high in the tree.
Yulan magnolia
(M. denudata)
The Yulan magnolia is loved for its breathtaking white blooms, up to 16cm across. A slow-growing tree or large shrub, this has a spectacular display of large, goblet-shaped ivory blooms.
Magnolia ‘Black Tulip’
A hybrid of M. x soulangeana, this variety has deep, dark burgundy, goblet-shaped flowers.
The best evergreen magnolias for Australian climates
Port wine magnolia
(Michelia figo)
Port wine magnolia is not strictly a magnolia, although it belongs to the same family, which is why it is such a delightful plant to consider.
It produces deep, rich, port wine coloured flowers in spring and summer just inside the foliage, so can be used as a decorative hedge.
The flowers are highly fragrant – more so in the evenings – and reminiscent of bananas, which is why it is often called the banana bush. It grows to about 4m. There is also a white or creamy flowering variety available called ‘White Caviar’ (Magnolia figo x yunnanensis).
Bull bay or southern magnolia
(M. grandiflora)
The bull bay magnolia is a dense, dome-shaped tree with large, dark-green glossy leaves that are brown and velvety underneath.
The big, bold but beautiful cup-shaped and wonderfully fragrant flowers start to emerge in late spring and continue through summer, making a distinctive and pretty polka-dot pattern against the rich foliage.
They can grow up to 15m wide and 10m high, so probably aren’t suitable for the back garden. But over the years, many smaller and slender cultivars have emerged. These include ‘Little Gem’ that grows to about 4m, ‘Teddy Bear’ that grows to about 2m and is ideal for a container on your balcony, deck or courtyard.
Sweet bay magnolia
(M. virginiana)
Sweet bay magnolia will lighten up your garden with its soft grey-green leaves that have a silvery underside. The small, white, highly perfumed flowers appear in spring with a blast, then sporadically in summer.
Each flower closes at night, then opens in the morning. It’s semi-deciduous in cooler areas, evergreen in areas that have warm winters. Can be put in containers on a deck or in a courtyard.
How to prune magnolias
Keep pruning to a minimum as wounds heal slowly. Do it only to repair damage to branches as soon as possible, although preferably after flowering.
When branches are cut, they send up vertical shoots that ruin the tree’s natural shape. Also, in hot weather, exposed branches can become sunburnt and this may lead to dieback.
Planting, design and flowering tips for the magnolia tree
- Plant your deciduous magnolia in spring, not autumn, because its roots are easily damaged when handled and will have the summer months to repair, which they can’t do in the winter. Your new plant may be tall and thin, so use stakes for the first year or two to support it.
- Magnolias can come as a single-trunked small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. Think about the shape you want to suit your garden plans.
- Deciduous magnolias sometimes sulk for the first three to four years and refuse to flower. Cajole them by digging in good compost before planting.
Growing magnolias in pots
- Choose only dwarf and small varieties.
- Use a pot at least double the size of your root ball, fill with quality potting mix and add water-storage crystals to help retain moisture.
- When planting, take care not to disturb roots.
- Position in full sun to part shade.
- Water deeply two or three times a week.
- During flowering, apply liquid rose food every one to two weeks.
- Apply fertiliser in autumn and spring.
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