Magnolia globosa - Indian form
Hen magnolia, Indian globose magnolia
Also known as Magnolia globosa
- Height × spread
- 7.5m × 4m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A beautiful tree which has a wide natural range, growing at altitudes of up to 3400 metres from Eastern Nepal to Yunnan in the West of China. There are differences, significant to botanists, between the two forms which are known as the Indian form and the Chinese form. The Indian form is considered hardier and also starts its annual growth cycle later in the year. This can be helpful since it lessens the likelihood of frost damage. It makes a small tree or a large shrub, a broad bell shape with picturesque upright and outreaching branches. In April the tree smothers itself in comparatively small creamy white flowers that have many long slim petals that wave and bend informally round the beige stamens. There's a slender pale green cone at the flower heart, called the 'stigmatic column'. The flowers are fragrant, particularly noticeable in the evening, so if possible position it where this can readily be enjoyed. There are red-brown fruits later. The leaves are up to 25cm long, green, but with silvered young growth. Give this a warm and sheltered spot and enjoy it.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Silver-green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, fragrant
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 7.5m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural
- Deer
- Protect from deer when young if in vulnerable area
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply acidic mulch
Where soil is only just acidic, apply mulch with a high acidic content such as leaf mould, or mulch for ericaceous plants. Alternatively the plant can benefit from a feed of iron supplement (iron chelate) such as sequestrol.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.
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