Magnolia figo

RHS Plant Profile
port wine magnolia

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port wine magnolia RHS

Other common names

banana shrub, brown-stalked magnolia, Chinese tulip tree

Synonyms

Magnolia figo 'Port Wine'
Michelia figo 'Port Wine'
Michelia figo
Michelia figo var. figo

Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse
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A rounded, bushy evergreen shrub 3-4m tall, with downy, yellowish-brown stems and shiny, oval dark green leaves. The cup-shaped, banana-scented flowers are greenish-yellow to ivory white, with a fine dark red margin to the petals, and appear in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Magnoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
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
Correct
Plant Range
E China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Not frost hardy, so will need to be grown under glass in almost all parts of the country. Use a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added bark, grow in full light with shade from hot sun and moderate to low humidity. See further magnolia cultivation advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn, softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in mid-or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning Group 1

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