Magnolia grandiflora

Common name: Bull Bay / Southern Magnolia

Description: Magnolia grandiflora is one of the most magnificent evergreen trees in cultivation, combining large, glossy dark green leaves with an impressive russet-brown felted reverse, and an extraordinarily beautiful succession of huge, creamy-white, bowl-shaped flowers with a powerful lemony fragrance. Flowers are produced from midsummer through to early autumn — an unusual flowering season among magnolias that extends the ornamental season well beyond the spring-flowering deciduous species. In the UK it performs best against a warm wall, where it can reach impressive proportions and provide year-round structure and interest.

Other benefits: year-round evergreen structure; stunning large fragrant summer flowers; impressive leathery foliage with russet reverse; excellent wall shrub

Wildlife attraction: bees, beetles, and other pollinating insects attracted by the large, fragrant blooms

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 4–6m x 3–4m (wall-trained)

Position: full sun to partial shade; thrives against a warm south- or west-facing wall; sheltered from cold winds

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

Moisture: moderate to moist; mulch well; water during dry periods; resents waterlogging

Winter hardiness: hardy to approximately -15°C when established; benefits from wall protection in colder regions