Pure Magnificence Magnolias.

At this time of year, one plant reigns supreme. Behold, magnolias. They’re big, beautiful and every garden should have one, writes Tammy Huynh.

If you have ever stopped in your tracks to admire a flowering tree, it was most likely a magnolia. Their large, goblet- or star-shaped blooms appear on foliage-free stems from late winter and are the epitome of elegance and grace. The flowers may be white, pink or purple and are wonderfully perfumed, adding to their charm. They’re mostly deciduous, but there are evergreen species, too. Part of their appeal is their ability to suit any garden style and almost every requirement – feature trees, in pots, privacy screens, clipped into a hedge or avenue plantings.

VARIETIES

Tulip or saucer magnolias ( M. x soulangeana) and their various cultivars are considered to be the most beautiful of the deciduous magnolias. The velvety, tulip-like buds open to large, cup-shaped blooms, glowing at winter’s end. The flowers can grow up to 25 centimetres wide, are perfumed and may be white, pink, purple and various shades in between. The tree can reach up to eight metres tall, so it will need plenty of room to grow.

The Jury magnolias, created by New Zealand breeder Mark Jury, are more compact, growing 3.5-4.5 metres tall, but do not compromise on the profusion of blooms. ‘Vulcan’ has deep-magenta flowers and is 4.5 metres tall, while ‘Black Tulip’ has smaller blooms and grows to only 3.5 metres tall.

One of the oldest forms of magnolia, Yulan magnolia ( M. denudata) has masses of ivory-white flowers from late winter. This deciduous tree is slow growing, eventually reaching 5 metres.

For an evergreen alternative, the bull bay magnolia ( M. grandiflora) grows into an attractive domeshaped tree with glossy green leaves that have russet-toned undersides. Elegant creamy-white flowers up to 20 centimetres across appear in spring and summer. It grows to 10x8 metres; ‘Teddy Bear’ is similar, but more compact (4-6 metres). Also available is ‘Fairy Blush’, a magnolia hybrid with lilac-pink flowers, that grows to 3 metres.

CARE

Magnolias prefer temperate climates with cool winters and warm summers. Plant them in a sunny spot, with shelter from the afternoon sun. In cooler climates, protect young plants from frost for the first few winters. The soil should be well drained, slightly acidic and enriched with plenty of organic matter. Protect their shallow roots from drying out with a dressing of well-composted cow manure or sugarcane mulch around the base of the plant. Water well during the warmer months, especially during the first couple of years, and top up the mulch as needed. If your soil is not suitable, grow dwarf or small varieties in pots using a quality potting mix.

Feed magnolias in spring and summer with an organic-based fertiliser suitable for acid-loving plants. You can supplement with a liquid feed high in potassium during the flowering season to encourage blooms. To keep evergreen varieties bushy, tip prune from spring to summer. If they’re looking sparse, cut back hard to 1 metre and feed well. Avoid pruning deciduous varieties except to remove deadwood or poor growth.

USES

To highlight the magnificence of the magnolia, use it as a feature tree. They are available as a singleor multi-stemmed trunk, so consider which shape is best for your garden style. Evergreen magnolias make beautiful informal flowering hedges along a fence or driveway. For a more formal look, pleach the trees or espalier them against a wall. In smaller gardens and courtyards, use a compact form as a specimen plant in a large pot.