Further Information about Magnolia Grandiflora (evergreen) Garden Trees

When to Prune Magnolia Grandiflora

The best time to prune Magnolia Grandiflora is late spring to early summer, after flowering.

Timing when to prune Magnolia Grandiflora is really important to the health and longevity of the plant. Magnolia is sensitive to pruning, especially heavy pruning, so it should only be undertaken if needed. Pruning earlier will affect flowering and too late will put the tree under stress before the weather gets cold. Light pruning is usually all that’s needed.

When does Magnolia Grandiflora flower?

Magnolia Grandiflora usually flowers between late May to July, depending on the climate. The flowers can last for weeks, followed by cone-shaped fruits from summer to autumn. Don’t forget to enjoy the scent, as the creamy white flowers have a lovely citrusy fragrance!

Can you grow Magnolia Grandiflora in a pot?

Magnolia Grandiflora can be grown in a pot, but it might be tricky. These need plenty of space to grow so you’ll need a big pot, placed in a sunny to partially-shady place. 

If you do decide to try growing Magnolia Grandiflora in a pot, use one at least 60cm in diameter with good drainage holes in the bottom and add some well drained, slightly acidic compost to plant into. Keep well-watered, especially in dry weather, and protect the tree from frost over winter by moving to a sheltered spot. 

For your best chances growing a Magnolia in a pot, you might want to look at some other varieties which are more suitable for containers and smaller spaces, such as Magnolia ‘Betty’. Learn more about potted, instant, bare root, and rootball options for trees and hedging.

How fast does Magnolia Grandiflora grow?

In smaller gardens and the UK climate, Magnolia Grandiflora is slow-growing and may grow up to 30cm per year to a maximum of 15m, with a mature height being reached in 20 to 50 years time. Magnolia Grandiflora grows into a beautiful, majestic tree and in perfect conditions, such as the southern states of the US where it is native, Magnolia garden trees can grow up to 25m.

If this doesn’t sound quite like what you had in mind, take a look at our Choosing the Right Hedge resources – from fast-growing hedges to other hedges with flowers, you can find exactly what’s right for you.

How to Grow Magnolia Grandiflora From Seed

Growing Magnolia grandiflora from seed requires patience, but it is possible. 

The pods that form after flowering into autumn hold the seeds inside. The pods will need to be mature when collecting seeds, which will then need to be placed in some moist paper towels and stored in the fridge for up to 8 weeks. This mimics winter and is called ‘stratification’. After this, sow into well-drained seed compost and place on a warm, sunny windowsill, keeping the compost moist but not overwatered. It will take up to 18 months for these to be ready to plant outside. 

For much more detail on planting and aftercare, visit our How to Plant a Hedge guide. It offers useful advice for gardeners, no matter what they’re planting.