Family Magnoliaceae
Originating from South East USA.
- Evergreen columnar tree with large, glossy dark green leaves, rust-colored undersides.
- Huge, pure white, lemon-scented flowers bloom from mid to late summer, attracting bees.
- Thrives in well-drained soil, full sun, ideal for small UK gardens and coastal courtyards.
This columnar evergreen dazzles with huge, lemon-scented white flowers amid glossy, dark green foliage, rust-colored undersides adding texture. Growing 8m high, 2.5m wide in 10–20 years, its narrow form suits small gardens. Broad petals and burgundy-flushed stamens create intricate floral detail for contemporary or formal designs.
Its slender form, easily pruned for size, adds year-round presence to Norfolk’s courtyards or Suffolk’s coastal gardens with minimal care. A superb screening tree, it offers dense, lush foliage, enhancing modern or traditional gardens with bold, evergreen structure.
Care Tips for Magnolia grandiflora Alta Evergreen Flowering Trees
- Soil and Sun: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil; full sun for best flowering and foliage density.
- Planting: Plant in autumn or spring; ensure good drainage. Use large pots for patios to anchor its stature.
- Watering: Water regularly in first two years; mature trees tolerate moderate drought.
- Pruning: Prune lightly in summer after flowering to shape or restrict size for containers; avoid heavy cuts.
This summer scented blooming tree brings evergreen elegance to UK gardens. In Norwich’s compact patios or Suffolk’s formal borders, its white flowers and glossy foliage shine. A low-maintenance screening tree, it adds year-round structure to contemporary or traditional gardens.
Planting Suggestions for Magnolia grandiflora Alta
Create a vertical vision of architectural forms, sentinels of intimate spaces, enclosing your paradise garden. Cordyline australis, Cedrus deodara ‘Karl Fuchs’, and Cedrus atlantica ‘La Fontaine’ enclose with creamy flowers and silver foliage, contrasting ‘Alta’s’ dark leaves. Dramatize Pinus strobus ‘Stowe Pillar’ and Yucca rostrata’s bright leaves and form a backdrop for smaller species.
Plant with summer-flowering trees like Heptacodium miconioides, Catalpa x erubescens ‘Purpurea’, and Clerodendrum trichotomum for shapely foliage and scented blooms. Add Aruncus dioicus and Pulmonaria ‘Shrimps on the Barbie’ for colorful underplanting in dappled shade.
For further reading on Magnolia, visit: https://treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/magnolia/
