Magnolias take their time to produce the best show of blooms but the wait is worthwhile.

Not content with looking marvelous the clear blue sky added to the attraction of this 6 foot high Magnolia Liliflora nigra in my neighboughs garden.

Magnolia fossils have been found from 20 million years ago before bees were around for pollination. That is why the many Magnolia species developed very tough flowers able to avoid damage from the beetles that pollinated them. Their flowers are thick and strong without distinct sepals or petals but a hairy shell around the buds.

Magnolias come in a wide variety of sizes from large specimen trees to small shrubs. They can be evergreen or deciduous and flower mainly in spring but with some later varieties. Flower colours vary from whites to pinks and purples with some yellows. Vegatatively propogated Magnolias should flower in the second or third year.

Magnolias cause few problems for gardeners except losing blossoms in a late spring frost. This can be avoided by planting, in locations that are protected from late frost, or varieties not blooming until the danger of frost has passed. Plant in April and mulch regularly until well established. Magnolias favour well drained slightly acidic soil but M. stellata, M. kobus, M. sieboldii and M. wilsonii. are all suited to alkaline soil.

Other Selected Varieties
Evergreen Magnolia Grandiflora Charles Dickens is a favourite for growing up a wall with flowers upto 12 inch across whilst M. Delavayi will flower in late summer or Autumn in a similar position.
A trendy favourite is Magnolia stellata star magnolia one of six Japanese species. It has a compact, twiggy habit ideal for smaller gardens, and flowers that can be white or pink.

National collections of Magnolia can be seen at

Magnolia photos
Magnolia Growing
Magnificent Magnolia varieties

The Savill Garden
Windsor Great Park
Windsor

Caerhays Castle
Gorran, St Austell

Wentworth Castle Gardens
Lowe Lane
Stainborough, Barnsley

Magnolia Society for more information and updates.