Magnolia insignis

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red lotus tree

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Synonyms

Manglietia yunnanensis
Manglietia insignis

Trees Shrubs
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Small evergreen tree about 8m in height, with oval, leathery, glossy dark green leaves to 20cm long, grey-green beneath. Upright, creamy-white flowers 7.5cm across with 9-12 tepals, are tinged deep rose or pink, and produced from late spring to early summer, may be followed by purplish fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Magnoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, well-drained soil in part shade, or sun in humid conditions, best grown outdoors in mild frost-free locations only. Can be grown in a large greenhouse or conservatory in a container. See magnolia cultivation advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to early autumn or layering in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wall side borders
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 9, or pruning group 13 if wall-trained Restrictive pruning will be needed if grown under glass

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