Spectacular magnolias

It would be difficult to find a more spectacular flowering tree or shrub than the magnolia. Despite it’s beauty and the fragile appearance of its flowers, magnolia is easy to grow and maintain as long as it’s protected from cold wind and late frosts. The spring flowering varieties are one of the first plants to flower in the garden.

Magnolias can be deciduous or evergreen, the evergreen varieties are usually summer flowering, while the deciduous flower in spring. Their flowers can be tulip shaped, cup shaped or star shaped and come in a range of colours from white to pink, purple and yellow. Magnolias are available in a wide range of sizes, from compact shrubs to large trees, so there are varieties that will suit most gardens. One of the most striking species of magnolia is an evergreen variety called Magnolia grandiflora, I always think it is such a fitting name. It is a tall and elegant tree with glossy dark evergreen leaves and large creamy cup shaped flowers. It is however one of many species to the large magnolia family.

Q. I have a limey soil and was told this does not suit magnolias, is this true? I would love to grow a spring flowering variety.