Magnolia
A spectacular flowering specimen tree, prized for its large, often fragrant blooms. Size varies enormously by type: popular deciduous garden magnolias typically reach 8m tall and 5m wide (with many smaller cultivars available), while the evergreen bull bay magnolia (M. grandiflora) can eventually reach 20m, and dwarf evergreen forms like 'Little Gem' stay around 4m - check the specific variety before planting close to a house. Deciduous types flower on bare wood in late winter/early spring; evergreen types flower later, over summer into autumn. Tolerates part shade but flowers best in full sun, sheltered from strong wind which can damage both blooms and branches. Rarely troubled by serious pests or disease in NZ conditions.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 500cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 8m
- Flowering season
- Aug, Sep, Oct
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees
- Common pests
- Scale insects, Aphids
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: March-April and September-October. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Check the specific variety's mature size before planting close to a house; it ranges from 4m dwarf evergreen forms to 20m for M. grandiflora
- Tolerates part shade but flowers best in full sun; water while establishing
- Shelter from strong wind, which can damage both blooms and branches
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Watch for scale insects and aphids on new growth
- Rarely troubled by serious pests or disease in NZ conditions, so ongoing care is light
FloweringVaries by type; see plant's floweringMonths
- Deciduous types flower on bare wood in late winter/early spring; evergreen types flower later, over summer into autumn
- Bees are drawn to the large, often fragrant blooms; avoid spraying nearby
- Strong wind can damage blooms as they open, so shelter matters most at this stage
Maturity
- Established trees need little routine care beyond occasional checks for scale and aphids
- Continue allowing space for the tree's eventual spread, especially for the larger evergreen forms