Magnolia officinalis
Magnolia officinalis
Magnolia officinalis
Magnolia officinalis
Houpo Magnolia, Chinese Magnolia
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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
Magnolia officinalis is a deciduous, impressive Chinese botanical species known for the size of its leaves and flowers. It forms a true small tree with leaves grouped in clusters at the ends of the branches. In late spring, very large flowers with a fragrant scent appear on a mature subject. It is not commonly planted in Western gardens but can be grown like a large rhododendron in deep and loose neutral to acidic soil that remains moist.
In the magnolia family, Magnolia officinalis is one of the most beautiful species. It is a robust and elegantly shaped small, deciduous, perfectly hardy tree, often with multiple stems, developing a regular and sparsely branched crown, conical overall and rounding with age. The officinalis subspecies, with its oval and entire leaves, differs from the biloba subspecies, which has leaves with two lobes at their blunt ends. Native to central China, it is highly valued in the country for its medicinal properties.
In our climates, Magnolia officinalis generally reaches a height of 8-10 m with a spread of 7-8 m. Its growth is quite rapid once it is well established. Its bark is brown to ash grey, thick and wrinkled, but does not crack with age. It becomes scaly at the base of the trunk on mature subjects. The young branches are smooth. In spring, the large buds open into wide, oval leaves measuring up to 50 cm in length and 25 cm in width. The upper surface of the blade is a tender green, strongly veined and slightly shiny. The leaves are arranged in clusters (whorls) at the ends of the branches. Flowering occurs from May to June, depending on the climate. The flowers, sometimes reaching 20 cm in diameter, consist of 9 to 12, white to cream-white petals. They have a pronounced and pleasant, fruity fragrance typical of magnolia flowers. After pollination, reddish pink fruits form, gathered in decorative cones measuring 10 to 13 cm in length. They contain red seeds. Before falling, the foliage takes on beautiful shades of brown to brick red.
Magnolia officinalis is suitable for planting in medium-sized gardens or parks, if the soil type and climate allow. It will be highlighted as a standalone specimen in the middle of a lawn, or at the back of a lower shrub bed. It pairs well with large Rhododendrons and Chinese Azaleas that thrive in similar conditions. Beautiful trees like Henry's Lime (Tilia henryana) will accompany it during its flowering. The Caramel Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) or Hamamelis 'Yamina' will enhance its foliage with magnificent autumn colours.
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Magnolia
officinalis
Magnoliaceae
Houpo Magnolia, Chinese Magnolia
Magnolia officinalis var. officinalis
China
Planting and care
Magnolia officinalis prefers sunny to partially shaded exposures and requires deep, moist, rich, and humus-bearing soil without limestone. It is hardy down to -17°C. This species hates hot summers. Planting the Magnolia can be done in spring or autumn, outside the frost period. Prepare a hole 80 cm wide and as deep with a good supply of ericaceous soil and compost if your soil tends to be clayey and slightly calcareous. Be careful when placing it in the hole, as the roots are fleshy but quite fragile. Immediate watering with non-limestone water (rainwater) helps to compact the soil around the roots. During the first year of planting, the Magnolia requires watering once a week. It will appreciate feeding once a year in spring. Since the Magnolia does not like prolonged drought, the soil should remain moist (but not waterlogged) throughout the summer. It is a good idea to mulch the base to keep it moist during the hot season, enrich the soil, and protect it from the cold in winter. Due to its fragile roots, avoid transplanting it. The only enemies of the Magnolia are pests such as scale insects, snails, and slugs that attack young plants, as well as fungal diseases such as root rot (in overly waterlogged soil) and coral disease.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.
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