Magnolia figo (Port wine magnolia)

Botanical name

Magnolia figo

Other names

Port wine magnolia, Banana shrub, Michelia figo, Michelia figo var. figo

Genus

Magnolia Magnolia

Species

M. figo - M. figo is a tender, bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub with elliptic, oblong, or oval, glossy, dark green leaves, paler beneath, and, from spring into summer, woolly brown bracts opening to fragrant, cup-shaped, cream to yellow-green flowers with red-flushed petal margins.

Native to

China

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Flowers are banana-scented.

Habit

Rounded, Bushy

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Colour

Flower

Yellow-green, Cream, Flushed red in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Scale insects , Glasshouse red spider mite

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Magnolia figo (Port wine magnolia) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 3.5m after 20-50 Years.

Suggested uses

Wallside and trellises, Specimen tree, Greenhouse, Conservatory, City, Beds and borders, Woodland

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in with added bark in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately & feed monthly in growth; water sparingly in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun with midday shade or in partial shade. Needs shelter from cold, drying winds.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Magnolia figo (Port wine magnolia)

Common pest name

Japanese long scale; Japanese maple scale; Long scale; Japanese; Pear white scale

Scientific pest name

Lopholeucaspis japonica

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Regulated only on Citrus at present; regulation on other hosts needs to be considered. Only likely to be a pest under glass in UK.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Magnolia figo (Port wine magnolia)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora kernoviae

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pathogen of certain tree and shrub species; subject to a containment strategy the UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Magnolia figo (Port wine magnolia)

Common pest name

Black timber bark beetle; Smaller alnus bark beetle; tea root borer

Scientific pest name

Xylosandrus germanus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Ambrosia beetle affecting a wide range of trees and woody hosts. Widespread in Europe and elsewhere and now present in the south of England. Impacts can be reduced by good silvicultural practices. Surveillance is being carried out to better determine distribution.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/