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is one of my favourite plants. It’s great for adding drama and excitement because it grows several metres tall.
I have them growing at the front of the house where they happily self-seed.
I’ve noticed they sometimes take an additional year to complete their life cycle – the middle year they gather their strength to send up these enormous spikes covered in violet blue flowers.
I can think of no other plant that attracts the same number of bees – their buzzing is the sound of summer for me!
Q
Why does my magnolia have flowers and leaves all on one side and nothing at all on the other? It had to be moved two years ago, but last year it was lovely with lots of leaves and blossoming flower.
A Dixon
A
In general, magnolias don’t like being uprooted and moved so your tree may be sulking a bit before settling down properly again. The flower buds on a magnolia form the previous year which could explain why you got full blossoms the first year after moving it.
However, the fact that there are no leaves at all on one side is more concerning. Just lightly scratch the bark and it should be green underneath – if so the branches are still alive.
Finally, is that side too cramped, shady or dry? Keep it well watered and next spring give it some fertiliser as a boost.