Magnolia Alba

Magnolia is a classic ornamental tree valued for its striking, often goblet- or star-shaped blooms and graceful framework. For Irish gardens, plant in a sunny or lightly shaded, sheltered spot with moisture-retentive but well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to acid. Avoid disturbing the roots once established, apply an organic mulch in spring to conserve moisture, and protect from cold, drying winds. Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead or crossing branches, ideally carried out just after flowering.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun or light shade; best with shelter

Rate of Growth: Slow to moderate

Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile, humus-rich; preferably neutral to acid; avoid shallow chalk

Hardiness: Hardy in most Irish gardens when sited well; shelter from cold, drying winds

Plant at a Glance