Southern Magnolia

American bull bay or Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora is native to the South eastern part of the United States. It first came to the UK around 1726 and has been grown successfully for centuries, and so is well adapted to north European winters. It can be grown as a very large, evergreen shrub but left to grow, will make a substantial tree with a rounded, conical habit, often grown trained against a warm wall in cooler areas, as it has a tendency to drop a lot of leaves during very cold periods. The oblong, leathery, shiny, deep green leaves have rusty-red undersides. The big, waxy, goblet-shaped flowers, up to 9”/25cm across, are a soft creamy white and highly scented, stunning against the glossy green leaves. The flowers appear in late summer and autumn, so are not damaged by late frosts. Magnolias are among the oldest living flowering plants and are present in the fossil record from the Creataceous period.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Humus-rich, well drained, moist soil, preferably acid to neutral
Position: Best in full sun, tolerates partial shade
Season of interest: All year, particularly late summer to autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: up to 50’ (15m) Spread: 33’ (10m) if untrained