Evergreen Magnolia Trees – Magnolia Grandiflora

The Evergreen Magnolia, or Magnolia Grandiflora, is a distinctive and stately tree known for its lush foliage and stunningly large, fragrant flowers. Originating from the southeastern United States, these trees offer several unique characteristics that make them a fantastic addition to British gardens.

Distinctive Features

Unlike many trees native to England, the Evergreen Magnolia remains lush and green all year round, hence the name. This attribute, combined with the tree’s large, glossy leaves and fragrant, creamy-white flowers, distinguishes the Evergreen Magnolia from its deciduous counterparts.

Perfect for British Garden Design

For British garden design, the Evergreen Magnolia can bring an exotic and visually striking element. This tree is a perfect feature plant, offering year-round interest with its glossy, dark green leaves that contrast beautifully with the soft, brown, velvet-like undersides.

The enormous white flowers, which can reach up to 30 cm in diameter, provide a stunning display from late spring through summer. They also emit a sweet, lemony fragrance, making the tree a sensory delight.

Given room to grow, Evergreen Magnolias can reach up to 12-20 metres in height, making them a grand statement in medium to large gardens. However, they can also be grown as a smaller tree or shrub with careful pruning.

Wildlife Benefits

These trees offer considerable benefits to wildlife. The large, fragrant flowers are a major attraction for bees and other pollinators. Birds, including songbirds, enjoy the tree’s seeds, and its dense, evergreen foliage offers excellent shelter and nesting opportunities.

Growth and Lifespan

Evergreen Magnolias have a slow to moderate growth rate, often growing less than 30 cm a year. However, they are incredibly long-lived trees, with some specimens known to live for more than a century.

Flowering, Fruit, and Reproduction

Flowering from late spring through summer, the Evergreen Magnolia produces large, creamy white flowers that exude a captivating, citrus-like fragrance. Following flowering, the tree produces a cone-like fruit that reveals bright red seeds when mature. These seeds serve as a food source for wildlife and can be collected for propagation.

Distribution in the UK

While not as common as some other ornamental trees in the UK, the Evergreen Magnolia can be found in milder parts of the country, particularly in the south and west, where they are often grown in sheltered gardens to protect them from harsh winds.

In summary, the Evergreen Magnolia is a tree of unique charm and magnificence. It provides a stunning focal point in the garden, with its grand stature, year-round greenery, and splendid, fragrant flowers. It’s a tree that promises to captivate and delight, offering both visual appeal and valuable benefits to local wildlife.