MAGNOLIA

Commonly known as Cucumber tree

MAGNOLIAS, named after the French botanist Pierre Magnol, are an ancient genus and it is thought that pollination was by beetles as the trees appeared before bees. Fossilised remains from the family are 95 million years old.

The main centre of distribution is eastern and southeastern Asia with a secondary centre in eastern North America, Central America, the West Indies and South America.

LARGE and SPECIMEN sized magnolias are almost all grafted plants. Many are also very rare.

LARGE plants are 2-3 year old grafts and SPECIMEN plants 3-5 year old grafts.

Different Magnolia varieties grow at very different speeds and therefore the size of a LARGE or a SPECIMEN plant and the exact pot size it is delivered in can vary markedly for plants of identical age and also on time of year, since Magnolias can grow very quickly.

Many more magnolia pictures can be found on the Caerhays Website and The Garden Diary.

Jump to full plant specifications

Plant Details

Good to know
'acuminata' is more tolerant of alkaline soils.
Pests & Diseases
Scale insects, honey fungus, coral spot.
Place of origin
Garden origin. USA. August Kehr. North Carolina. Raised in Belgium. 2001.
Deciduous
Large, deep green leaves.
Yellow
Cup-shaped
Fully hardy
Height
6m (20ft) To about 4m (13ft) in 10 years.
Spread
To 5m (16ft)
Tree
Vigorous, open-growing tree. Mature flowers of persistent yellow flop over to cover the leaves.
Hardy - cold winter
Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
Spring Seasonal Interest
Summer Seasonal Interest
Broadly conical

Mature Size

6m (20ft) To about 4m (13ft) in 10 years.
	to 5m (16ft)

Planting Tips and Care Advice

Pruning group

Pruning group 1

Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
Soil Conditions

Fertile moist well-drained soil

Humus-rich

Neutral to acid soil
Sun Requirements

Full sun

Shelter from strong winds.

Partial shade