Magnolia campbellii Alba Group

RHS Plant Profile

Campbell's magnolia Alba Group

Synonyms

Magnolia campbellii var. alba
Magnolia campbellii subsp. campbellii var. alba

Trees

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Vigorous, conical then spreading, deciduous tree to 15m in height. Very large (30cm), white, cup-shaped flowers open from pale yellow buds in late winter and early spring, ahead of the large (25cm) oval, mid-green leaves

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Magnoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Bushy
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. Late frosts may damage flower buds and/or flowers. See magnolia cultivation

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

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to coral spot, honey fungus and phytophthora root rot