Beacon Blooms

Magnolias brighten winter like no other flower.

Amagnolia tree in full flower is a breathtaking sight.

The bare branches form a natural candelabrum, supporting hundreds of lavish blooms without the distraction of leaves. It’s a display to lift the spirits, especially when set against the crisp blue sky of their flowering period from late winter to spring. Slow-growing but with a long life, a magnolia is a great plant to invest in. And given the right spot, they’re easy to grow.

Growing concerns

Deciduous magnolias come mainly from China, where they’ve been cultivated for more than a thousand years. Like most deciduous plants, they’re at home in cooler climates with distinct seasons. Choose a spot protected from westerly sun and winds to avoid burnt leaves in summer. Magnolias need acidic (pH 5–6) soil that drains freely, with plenty of organic matter from compost and manures. They have shallow roots and don’t like to dry out, so keep them well watered and mulched, and don’t let grass grow around them. Select your planting spot carefully, allowing room for branches to spread, because magnolias do not transplant well.

It’s also best not to prune them at all so leave them to develop naturally. They are relatively pest- and disease-free, but watch out for possums – they love eating the buds.

Spoilt for choice

There are dozens of gorgeous varieties to choose from. Newer ones have been bred for larger, more voluptuous blooms on compact trees, and they flower at a younger age. Blooms can be pure white, soft to deep pink, crimson, wine-like purple or lemon yellow. Many are perfumed, too. Some blooms grow as big as dinner plates, some resemble Champagne flutes, and others spread out their petals to form a cup-and-saucer shape.