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Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Opal' (Blue magnolia 'Blue Opal')
2 hours care
per year
per year
15m
Max height
Max height
8m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Opal'
Other names
Blue magnolia 'Blue Opal', Cucumber tree 'Blue Opal', Magnolia acuminata 'Henry Blue'
Genus
Magnolia Magnolia
Variety or Cultivar
'Blue Opal' _ 'Blue Opal' is a conical, deciduous tree with broadly ovate to elliptic, mid- to bright green leaves, softly hairy beneath, and upright, blue buds opening to cup-shaped, yellow flowers as the leaves emerge in late spring and early summer. Flowers are followed by cone-like fruit maturing red in late summer and autumn.
Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Opal' is: Deciduous
Habit
Conical, Upright
Flower
Yellow, Flushed blue in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Horse chestnut scale , Snails Capsid bug , Horse chestnut scale , Snails
Coral spot , Grey mould , Honey fungus , Leaf spot , Virus Coral spot , Grey mould , Honey fungus , Leaf spot , Virus
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1 in midsummer.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Opal' (Blue magnolia 'Blue Opal') will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 8m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Plant in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Flower buds may be damaged by late frost. Will reach 4-6m in 10 years with a maximum height of 15m at full maturity.
Soil type
Loamy, Clay
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Opal'
Other names
Blue magnolia 'Blue Opal', Cucumber tree 'Blue Opal', Magnolia acuminata 'Henry Blue'
Genus
Magnolia Magnolia
Variety or Cultivar
'Blue Opal' _ 'Blue Opal' is a conical, deciduous tree with broadly ovate to elliptic, mid- to bright green leaves, softly hairy beneath, and upright, blue buds opening to cup-shaped, yellow flowers as the leaves emerge in late spring and early summer. Flowers are followed by cone-like fruit maturing red in late summer and autumn.
Native to
Eastern North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Conical, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Yellow, Flushed blue in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Capsid bug , Horse chestnut scale , Snails
Specific diseases
Coral spot , Grey mould , Honey fungus , Leaf spot , Virus
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1 in midsummer.
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Magnolia acuminata 'Blue Opal' (Blue magnolia 'Blue Opal') will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 8m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Plant in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in full sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Flower buds may be damaged by late frost. Will reach 4-6m in 10 years with a maximum height of 15m at full maturity.
Soil type
Loamy, Clay
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Clay | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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