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Magnolia sieboldii subsp. sinensis

Chinese magnolia

© RHS 2003
Sold by 6 nurseries

  • Other common names Chinese magnolia

  • Synonyms Magnolia sieboldii var. sinensis
    Magnolia sinensis

  • Family Magnoliaceae

  • 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

  • Details M. sieboldii subsp. sinensis is a spreading large deciduous shrub with dark green, ovate leaves, greyish beneath, and cup-shaped fragrant white flowers 10cm across, with prominent crimson stamens

  • Plant range W. China

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Bushy

  • Fragrance Flower

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H6

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect East-facing or South-facing or West-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained

  • SoilClay, Loam, Sand

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 4-8 metres

  • Ultimate spread wider than 8 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 20-50 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained neutral to acid soil in sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Will grow in moist alkaline soils. Further magnolia cultivation advice

Propagation Propagate by seed, semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types Cut Flowers Low Maintenance Architectural City & Courtyard Gardens Cottage & Informal Garden Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning Magnolia pruning should be carried out in midsummer when in full leaf

Pests May be affected by horse chestnut scale, capsid bug and snails

Diseases May be affected by coral spot, grey mould, honey fungus, a virus and fungal leaf spot

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