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A Blooming Guide to Magnolias for Australian Gardens

A Blooming Guide to Magnolias for Australian Gardens

Six magnolias for every garden and every season. From the upright evergreen Little Gem to the dramatic Black Tulip, find the magnolia that suits your space and climate.
DeciduousEvergreenFeature TreesFlowering TreesMagnolia

Magnolias do two very different jobs. Some are dense compact evergreens that work as hedges and screens. Others are large feature trees grown for their flowers and form. Both groups deliver one of the most consistent, reliable garden flowering shows available.

The six Magnolias below are the ones we recommend most often. Together they cover every common Magnolia question — compact hedges, polished features, deciduous spring drama and the longest flowering grandifloras.

Compare at a glance

CultivarHeightWidthFormFoliageBest if you…
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'
Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia 		6-8m3-4mUpright dense formHighly glossy deep green with bronze undersideScreening, hedging, feature planting, formal gardens.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Teddy Bear Magnolia 		4-5m2-3mCompact upright pyramidalGlossy dark green with rusty brown undersideSmall gardens, screens, courtyards, narrow boundaries.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Little Gem Magnolia 		4-6m2-3mUpright pyramidalGlossy dark green with brown felted undersideUrban gardens, screening, feature planting, formal hedges.
Magnolia x soulangeana
Saucer Magnolia 		5-8m4-6mRounded spreading formMid-green deciduous foliageFeature planting, courtyards, frost-prone sites, cool-climate gardens.
Magnolia x soulangeana 'Black Tulip'
Black Tulip Magnolia 		4-5m2-3mUpright vase shapeMid-green deciduousFeature planting, small gardens, courtyards, dramatic colour.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'
Kay Parris Magnolia 		4-6m2-3mUpright pyramidalWavy glossy dark green with rust-coloured undersideFeature trees, screens, formal driveways, smaller gardens.
Decide hedge or feature
Hedging compact: Teddy Bear, Little Gem, Coolwyn Gloss. Features: Kay Parris, Exmouth, x soulangeana.
Match the height
Teddy Bear and Kay Parris at 3 to 5m. Little Gem and x soulangeana at 5 to 8m. Coolwyn Gloss at 6 to 8m. Exmouth at 8 to 10m.
Evergreen or deciduous
All grandifloras are evergreen. Magnolia x soulangeana is deciduous — bare in winter, spectacular in spring.
Soil
All Magnolias prefer well-drained slightly acidic soil. On clay, mound the planting position or improve drainage.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'

1. Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss' (Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia)

An evergreen magnolia selected for exceptionally glossy dark green foliage and large fragrant white blooms. A dense screening tree that doubles as a feature.

Type
Evergreen flowering tree
Height
6-8m
Width
3-4m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Highly glossy deep green with bronze underside
Flowers
Large fragrant white blooms in summer
Form
Upright dense form
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, frost tolerant, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low. Trim to shape after flowering.
Best for
Screening, hedging, feature planting, formal gardens.

Why choose it

Coolwyn Gloss carries the brightest foliage of any grandiflora cultivar. The glossy leaves reflect light and lift the whole garden, while the fragrant summer flowers add bonus interest.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside a feature Acer palmatum for a contrast between glossy evergreen and fine deciduous foliage.

Tips for planting

Space 1.5-2m apart for a screen. Mulch annually and water deeply through hot summers.

An evergreen magnolia that earns its place as both screen and feature.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'

2. Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear' (Teddy Bear Magnolia)

A compact upright evergreen magnolia with dense foliage and a teddy-brown felted underside. Ideal for smaller gardens and tight screens.

Type
Evergreen flowering tree
Height
4-5m
Width
2-3m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Glossy dark green with rusty brown underside
Flowers
Large fragrant cream blooms in summer
Form
Compact upright pyramidal
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, frost tolerant, adapts to most soils
Maintenance
Low. Minimal pruning required.
Best for
Small gardens, screens, courtyards, narrow boundaries.

Why choose it

Teddy Bear stays naturally compact and dense. The contrast between glossy green tops and rusty undersides gives the foliage a two-tone look that holds interest year round.

Perfect pair

Plant in front of a Buxus or low Westringia hedge for layered texture and structure.

Tips for planting

Space 1.2-1.5m apart for a screen. Apply slow-release fertiliser in spring.

A compact evergreen magnolia for gardens short on space but long on style.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

3. Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' (Little Gem Magnolia)

An upright evergreen Southern Magnolia with dense glossy foliage and large fragrant flowers. Compact enough for urban gardens, generous enough to feel like a real tree.

Type
Evergreen flowering tree
Height
4-6m
Width
2-3m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Glossy dark green with brown felted underside
Flowers
Large fragrant cream-white blooms from spring through autumn
Form
Upright pyramidal
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, frost tolerant, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low. Light shaping after flowering.
Best for
Urban gardens, screening, feature planting, formal hedges.

Why choose it

Little Gem flowers from a young age and keeps producing through most of the year. The compact upright frame fits where larger magnolias would dominate.

Perfect pair

Combine with a feature Magnolia x soulangeana for evergreen structure beside seasonal flower drama.

Tips for planting

Plant 1.2-1.5m apart for screening. Mulch annually and water through the first two summers.

An evergreen magnolia that delivers flowers and structure in compact form.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Magnolia x soulangeana

4. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

The classic deciduous magnolia. Massive pink and white goblet flowers open on bare branches in early spring before any foliage emerges. A signature feature tree.

Type
Deciduous flowering tree
Height
5-8m
Width
4-6m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Mid-green deciduous foliage
Flowers
Large pink and white goblet blooms in early spring
Form
Rounded spreading form
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, frost tolerant, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low. Mulch annually, minimal pruning.
Best for
Feature planting, courtyards, frost-prone sites, cool-climate gardens.

Why choose it

Soulangeana puts on one of the most spectacular spring displays of any tree. Massive blooms on bare branches signal the end of winter in dramatic fashion.

Perfect pair

Plant in front of a Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia hedge for evergreen backdrop and deciduous flower drama.

Tips for planting

Choose a sheltered site to protect emerging blooms from late frosts. Mulch heavily to protect surface roots.

The original showstopper magnolia.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana
Magnolia x soulangeana 'Black Tulip'

5. Magnolia x soulangeana 'Black Tulip' (Black Tulip Magnolia)

A deciduous magnolia with deep burgundy tulip-shaped flowers. The darkest blooms in the Soulangeana family and one of the most dramatic spring feature trees available.

Type
Deciduous flowering tree
Height
4-5m
Width
2-3m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Mid-green deciduous
Flowers
Deep velvety burgundy tulip-shaped blooms in early spring
Form
Upright vase shape
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, frost tolerant, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low. Minimal pruning required.
Best for
Feature planting, small gardens, courtyards, dramatic colour.

Why choose it

Black Tulip carries the deepest colour of any Soulangeana cultivar. The tulip form and dark velvety petals make it a true conversation piece in spring.

Perfect pair

Pair with an evergreen Coolwyn Gloss hedge to make the dark flowers really pop.

Tips for planting

Site in full sun for the deepest flower colour. Shelter from strong wind.

The darkest magnolia bloom you can plant.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana 'Black Tulip'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'

6. Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris' (Kay Parris Magnolia)

An evergreen Southern Magnolia with wavy glossy foliage and large fragrant creamy-white blooms. A compact alternative to traditional grandiflora.

Type
Evergreen flowering tree
Height
4-6m
Width
2-3m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Wavy glossy dark green with rust-coloured underside
Flowers
Large fragrant creamy-white blooms across summer
Form
Upright pyramidal
Conditions
Full sun to part shade, frost tolerant, adapts to most soils
Maintenance
Low. Light shaping after flowering.
Best for
Feature trees, screens, formal driveways, smaller gardens.

Why choose it

Kay Parris flowers earlier and at a younger age than most grandiflora cultivars. The wavy-edged foliage gives it a distinctive look that holds attention.

Perfect pair

Plant against a low Buxus hedge to frame the trunk and show off the foliage texture.

Tips for planting

Apply slow-release fertiliser in spring. Mulch annually to retain moisture through summer.

An evergreen magnolia that flowers young and stays elegant.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'

How to plant and care for them

Pick the position
Full sun to part shade. Sheltered from drying winds for deciduous cultivars.
Prepare the planting hole
Twice the width of the rootball, same depth. Mix the original soil with aged compost. Add coarse sand on heavy clay sites.
Plant level
Set the rootball level with surrounding soil.
Water in deeply
Soak the rootball thoroughly.
Mulch out to the drip line
Lay 75 to 100mm of organic mulch.
Water deeply through the first two summers
Once a week deep watering through the warm months.
Light shaping prune only
Prune lightly after flowering if needed for shape.

The wrap up

The six Magnolias cover every common Magnolia brief. Pick by role and height, plant in well-drained soil, water through the first two summers — the Magnolia carries the garden for decades.

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