Magnolia 'Betty'

Common name: Magnolia 'Betty'

Description: Magnolia 'Betty' is one of the popular 'Little Girl' hybrid magnolias, bred at the US National Arboretum specifically for compact habit and late flowering to avoid frost damage. It produces large, goblet-shaped flowers in rich purple-red on the exterior, paler pink within, from mid-spring onwards — slightly later than soulangeana forms, which helps protect the blooms from late frosts. It forms a rounded, compact deciduous shrub that is well suited to smaller gardens and can also be grown successfully in large containers. The flowers have a light, sweet fragrance and are produced reliably year after year.

Other benefits: late flowering reduces frost damage risk; compact habit for smaller gardens; reliable year-on-year flowering; lightly fragrant

Wildlife attraction: bees and other pollinating insects

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2.5m x 2m

Position: full sun to partial shade; sheltered from strong cold winds

Soil pH: neutral to acid (pH 5.5–7.0); fertile, moist but well-drained soil

Moisture: moderate; mulch well and water during dry periods until established

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C