Magnolia x soulangeana or the saucer magnolia
WITH their large, bold blossoms so proudly displayed, magnolias are undoubtedly the most glamorous and effective of all shrubs or small trees and there is room for at least one specimen in every garden. The polluted air of industrial areas does not worry them in the least and they are tolerant of a wide range of soils, although some of them are lime hating.
April is the best month for planting and establishing magnolias. They have fleshy roots that are apt to rot away in winter, following an autumn disturbance, but in spring they can quickly make good any damage done to them. Remember, though, to keep your young plants well-watered until they are settled in.
Christopher Lloyd at his Great Dixter garden
Another point to remember about these fleshy roots is that they strongly resent being dug around. You can easily kill a large and mature specimen by digging over the ground near it. Feed, then, entirely with surface mulches of organic material like garden compost, and don't prod around with a fork. One reason for magnolias making such excellent lawn specimens is that they are undisturbed here. However, it would be as well, at least in the early years, to keep a 5ft (1.5m) circle round your magnolia free of turf; you could plant small bulbs and hardy cyclamen in it.
Magnolia denudata has pure-white waxy blooms that are strongly lemon scented
Striking varieties
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2022 de Amateur Gardening.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2022 de Amateur Gardening.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters