Magnolia macrophylla (Great-leaved magnolia)

Botanical name

Magnolia macrophylla

Other names

Great-leaved magnolia, Umbrella tree, Large-leaved cucumber tree, Great-leaved macrophylla, Bigleaf magnolia

Genus

Magnolia Magnolia

Species

M. macrophylla - M. macrophylla is a broadly upright then rounded, deciduous tree with large, oblong to ovate, light green leaves, silvery-grey beneath, and, in early summer, fragrant, open-cup-shaped, creamy-white flowers, marked maroon at the base of the petals.

Native to

Southeastern United States

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Broad-crowned, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Cream in Summer

Foliage

Light green in Spring; Light green in Summer; Light green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Scale insects , Glasshouse red spider mite

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 in midsummer.

Propagation

Soak seed in water 24 hours before sowing. Sow outdoors in autumn for spring germination or cold stratify for 120 days and sow in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Magnolia macrophylla (Great-leaved magnolia) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 10m after 20-50 Years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Specimen tree, Wallside and trellises, Woodland

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in sun or partial shade. Needs shelter from cold, drying winds. Late frost may damage flower buds.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, 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 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Magnolia macrophylla (Great-leaved 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 macrophylla (Great-leaved 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 macrophylla (Great-leaved 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/