Magnolia grandiflora Tree

An unusual evergreen, Magnolia grandiflora boasts large, leathery leaves with a glossy dark-green colour on top and a bronzed, furry underneath. The gloriously huge, creamy flowers in late summer (August/September) have a complex lemon perfume and look magnificent against the dark background.

Magnolia grandiflora will grow free standing to 5 x 3 metres in 20 years or against a wall. A sheltered position is preferred to avoid winter damage to the thick foliage, however, it can be planted in a coastal position where there is little salt spray. Any moist, well-drained soil will suit, even chalk is tolerated, making Magnolia grandiflora suited to most positions.

Due to its evergreen nature and large flowers, this Magnolia is hugely popular. Therefore we offer it in a variety of forms and sizes, ranging from young Magnolia bushes right through to large mature standard trees.

AKA Bull Bay tree, Southern Magnolia, Evergreen Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, Loblolly Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora Gallisoniensis

• Common name: Bullbay tree, Evergreen Magnolia
• Latin: Magnolia grandiflora
• Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 3 metres
• Flowers: Very large, bowl-shaped, creamy flowers
• Foliage: Dark-green, evergreen leaves provide year round interest
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
• Soil: Suited to free-draining sites and tolerant of all soil types

Planting Advice for Magnolia grandiflora Trees and Bushes

Our pot grown Evergreen Magnolia grandiflora can be planted at any time of the year. Firstly, remove all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help your Magnolia establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Gently remove the pot but do not try to loosen the roots of Magnolia trees before planting. They have a fleshy root system and can be quite fragile. Using 50% of the original soil and 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree.

For tree forms of Magnolia grandiflora, we recommend using a stake and tie kit and rabbit guard when planting, but these are not needed for the bush forms. The help and advice section has further information and videos.

Aftercare Advice for Magnolia grandiflora Trees and Bushes

If you’re planting Magnolia grandiflora in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. Magnolias do not cope well with dry soils so this is especially important. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.

Pruning Advice for Magnolia grandiflora Trees and Bushes

Magnolia grandiflora require little pruning, so just remove damaged or awkwardly positioned branches. Pruning should be carried out in mid-summer to early autumn (avoid late winter to early spring). Evergreen Magnolia trees can be pruned into shape, but should not be heavily pruned as they can go into shock. If pruning to limit the overall size, stagger your pruning over a few years to alleviate the stress on your tree.

Covid-19: We are still open! We are dealing with orders as quickly as we can and will be in touch about delivery if you already have an order with us.

Trees on pre-order are not ready to send out yet and an estimate of when they will be ready for despatch is given on the basket page. Orders will be despatched when all trees are ready.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most trees under 1.5 metres in height) : £9.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £11.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £14.95 + vat

1-4 trees delivered by pallet (inc. mature Japanese Maples): 24.95 + vat

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.

Mature and pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode rather than quantity (starts from £48 + vat).

Northern Ireland and Non Mainland UK

Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.

Delivery Timescales

All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 10 days of placing the order. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.

There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date.

Trees on pre-order are still growing and an estimate of when they will be ready is given on the basket page. Orders will be despatched when all trees are ready.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees.  For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that can give the appearance of a multi stemmed and very bushy tree.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height:

Standard  either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard  10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard  12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height