Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'

Common name: Magnolia 'Leonard Messel'

Description: Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' is a superb deciduous magnolia producing a spectacular display of multi-petalled, star-like flowers in pale lilac-pink to rose-pink on the reverse. The flowers appear on bare branches in early to mid-spring and have a gentle, sweet fragrance. This is a particularly versatile and garden-worthy magnolia — it is more tolerant of alkaline soils than most magnolias, grows well in a range of conditions, and develops into a graceful, multi-stemmed large shrub or small tree with excellent ornamental qualities across the seasons. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner.

Other benefits: RHS Award of Garden Merit; tolerates slightly alkaline soils; suitable for a wide range of garden conditions; lightly fragrant

Wildlife attraction: bees and other early pollinating insects

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 4m x 3m

Position: full sun to partial shade; one of the more adaptable magnolias for UK garden conditions

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 5.5–7.5); more tolerant of chalk than most magnolias; fertile, well-drained soil

Moisture: moderate; mulch well in early years; water during dry spells until established

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C