Magnolia is a spring-flowering tree or shrub whose large, cup-shaped or star-shaped flowers on bare branches bring a touch of magic to the garden. Many people think magnolia is hard to succeed with, but with the right choice of variety and the right care you can grow magnolia in a great many gardens, including those with cold winters. The key is to give your magnolia a good start: choose a sheltered spot, use suitable soil and plant at the right time. Magnolia has shallow, sensitive roots that do not like to be disturbed, so handle it gently when planting and choose the perfect spot from the beginning, because a magnolia does not like to be moved once it has become established.
When you buy a magnolia, it usually comes as a container-grown plant. Water the root ball thoroughly before planting. Dig a generous hole, about 60-70 cm wide and deep, so that the roots have plenty of room in loose soil. Position the plant so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in around the root ball with porous soil and firm it gently (do not tread it down hard, as the roots need air). Water generously once the plant is in the ground, and you will help it settle into its new home.
Position, soil and planting
Choose a sunny to partly shaded, sheltered spot. Magnolias thrive best in light and warmth, but avoid extremely hot, south-facing positions where the spring sun can coax the flower buds out too early, as late frosty nights can then damage the flowers. A spot with some dappled shade, or shelter from the early morning sun in spring, is ideal, especially for the early-flowering varieties. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air collects, since magnolia flowers and tender young leaves can be damaged by frost in such places.
The soil should be humus-rich, fertile and moisture-retentive but well-drained. Magnolia really does not want to stand in waterlogged soil, where the roots rot easily, but it does not want to dry out either. Mix the existing soil with leaf mould, ericaceous (rhododendron) compost or unlimed peat to give it an airy structure and a lower pH. Magnolias prefer slightly acidic soil (pH around 5.5-6.5) and dislike lime, so avoid limy soil and fertilisers containing lime. If your garden soil is heavy or clay, you can also mix in a little sand and plenty of organic matter to get a loose soil that both drains well and holds moisture. Take care not to bury undecomposed compost or leaves deep in the hole; organic matter that has not yet broken down belongs closer to the surface, like the layer of rotted leaves on top of the soil in a woodland.
Planting time: Spring planting is the best choice for magnolia, especially in colder areas. Plant once the ground has thawed and can be dug; in milder regions that may be March or April, and where winters are long and cold it may be May. The plant then has the summer to establish itself and stand strong ahead of its first winter. In mild areas you can also plant in early autumn (for example in September) as long as the soil is still warm, but avoid late autumn planting in colder climates, because newly planted magnolias are sensitive to frost before they have rooted properly.
Remember: Give your magnolia a flying start by watering thoroughly at planting and keeping the soil slightly moist for the first few weeks. A newly planted magnolia appreciates extra care, so cover the ground around the stem with leaves or bark mulch to retain moisture and protect the shallow roots.
Care and flowering
Fortunately, magnolias are easy to look after if they get the right conditions from the start. Much of the work is done at planting; after that it is mostly a matter of watering, some feeding and a little patience. Here are some important care tips:
Watering: Magnolia has a shallow root system and likes evenly moist soil. Water regularly, especially during warm, dry spells. The first year after planting is especially important, so make sure your magnolia never dries out then. At the same time, you want to avoid standing water; the soil should be moist but not soggy. Pay extra attention to spring drought (dry spells in April-June), because both new and established magnolias can suffer if they do not get enough water when the buds break and the leaves unfold. A layer of organic mulch (bark, compost or dry leaves) under the shrub helps the soil hold on to moisture and benefits soil life.
Feeding: If you improved the soil at planting, no feeding is needed in the first year. In later years you can give a light feed in spring, for example with rhododendron fertiliser or bone meal, to support bud formation and growth. An annual layer of well-rotted compost or cow manure around the root zone (on top of the soil, not dug in deep) also does it good. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding in midsummer, because the magnolia needs time to harden off before autumn and winter so that the shoots ripen and can cope with the cold. After flowering in spring, you can give the shrub a little extra rhododendron feed to help it set new flower buds for the next season.
Pruning: Magnolias would rather not be pruned. They develop their natural shape best without secateurs, and the flower buds are already formed during the summer before they open. If you prune at the wrong time, you risk removing next spring's flowers. So let the branches and crown grow freely for as long as possible. If you really need to remove a branch (for example if it is damaged or in the way), do it gently straight after flowering or between July and September. Cut with sharp secateurs just outside the branch collar and avoid unnecessary cuts. Luckily, magnolia is rarely troubled by diseases or pests, so you do not need to prune to keep it healthy.
Winter care and hardiness: Hardiness varies between magnolia varieties, but as a general rule, the colder your climate, the more sheltered the position needs to be. In cold and exposed locations, young magnolias may need a little extra care: spread a thick layer of leaves around the base in late autumn or cover the ground with conifer branches to insulate it against ground frost. The plant itself benefits from shelter against icy winds. If your magnolia is one of the less hardy varieties and is growing at the limit of what it can take, you can try covering it with hessian or horticultural fleece during the coldest spells of its first winters. As the plant gets older and roots more deeply, it becomes more resilient. One tip is not to give up if there are no flowers in the first few years, as some magnolias (especially seed-grown trees such as Magnolia kobus) need to be a few years old before they flower fully. With time and the right care, the reward comes in the form of magnificent flowers.
Three popular magnolia varieties
There are many magnolias to choose from. Here we present three popular varieties that are well worth growing and thrive in gardens with a cool climate:
Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata): A small magnolia that is ideal for smaller gardens. As a mature shrub it usually reaches only 2-3 metres and flowers early in spring (April) with masses of white, star-shaped flowers before the leaves emerge. Star magnolia grows slowly and often starts flowering while still a young plant. The fragrance is mild and pleasant. It is very hardy and copes with cold winters, and in a sheltered spot even quite harsh ones. Tip: Protect the shrub from late frost when it is in bud, as the early flowers can be damaged by cold nights. Otherwise, star magnolia is easy to care for and rewards you generously every spring.
Hybrid magnolia ‘Leonard Messel’: A classic hybrid (Magnolia × loebneri) that is much loved by gardeners. ‘Leonard Messel’ becomes a fairly broad shrub or small multi-stemmed tree, around 3-5 metres tall. It flowers in April and May with star-like flowers in pale pink with touches of white, and it flowers so freely that the whole shrub can be covered in blooms. The advantage of this variety is that its flowers open somewhat later than those of the very earliest species and can also take a few degrees of frost without damage. It is hardy and easy to grow, even in fairly cold areas, which makes it a perfect magnolia for beginners too. Plant ‘Leonard Messel’ in a sunny spot for the best flowering, and enjoy its reliable show every spring.
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana): The classic tulip magnolia that so many people dream of. Over time, saucer magnolia becomes a fairly large tree, often 5-8 metres tall in favourable positions, and it does best in milder areas. In April and May the thick, furry buds burst open into large, cup-shaped flowers. The colour varies with the variety, often pink buds that fade to almost white inside the flower (‘Rustica Rubra’, for example, is deep pink on the outside). The sight of a mature saucer magnolia in full bloom takes your breath away, even though the flowering is relatively short (a few weeks in spring). It is somewhat less hardy and does best where winters are mild, or in a sheltered spot in slightly colder areas, so it is mainly grown in milder regions or in protected positions. Give it a warm, calm corner of the garden with deep, humus-rich soil and it will thrive. Bear in mind that saucer magnolia forms its flower buds during summer and autumn ahead of the following spring, so protect it as best you can from late frost and sharp swings in temperature while it is in bud.
(Besides these, there are other exciting species, such as the shrubby Magnolia sieboldii, which flowers in early summer with fragrant white flowers, or yellow-flowered hybrids such as ‘Yellow Bird’ and others, but the three above are an excellent starting selection for cooler climates.)
Summary
Magnolia is a fantastic plant that gives the spring garden beauty and character. By choosing a hardy variety, planting in a suitable position and caring for your magnolia with water, nutrients and a little patience, you can succeed in most gardens. The reward comes in the form of enchanting flowers year after year. Look after your magnolia and enjoy watching it develop, from furry winter buds to open flowers and green summer foliage. Good luck with your magnolia!
Author: Emma Vogiatzi
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2025-11-28