Magnolia rostrata
beaked magnolia
A large, open-branched, deciduous tree aout 15-20m tall, with huge, mid-green leaves to 50cm long, grey-green beneath, coppery and covered in rusty felt when young, and bearing, in early summer, small, fragrant creamy-white flowers 14cm long, the outer tepals tinged pink; cylindrical red fruits 12-15cm long with a distinct beak on each carpel follow
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream White Pink | Green Brown | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Magnolia can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, with large, showy, often fragrant flowers, often opening before the leaves, and sometimes followed by colourful cone-like fruit
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China, Tibet, Myanmar
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade with shelter from cold winds. Flowers may be damaged by late frosts. See magnolia cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings from late spring to early summer or semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
Minimal pruning required, see magnolia pruning. Deciduous magnolias should only be pruned between midsummer and early autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, horse chestnut scale and capsid bug
Diseases
May be susceptible to coral spot, phytophthora, grey moulds, honey fungus, a virus or fungal leaf spot
Get involved
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