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Ultimate Guide to Planting and Caring for Magnolia Trees

Ultimate Guide to Planting and Caring for Magnolia Trees

How to plant and care for magnolia trees in Australian gardens, with five cultivars to choose: Coolwyn Gloss, Little Gem, Teddy Bear, Kay Parris and Saucer Magnolia.
Coolwyn GlossKay ParrisLittle Gemmagnolia careMagnolia grandifloraMagnolia x soulangeanaplanting magnoliasTeddy Bear

Magnolias are some of the most reliable feature trees in the country. The right cultivar, planted well, gives a garden a polished focal point that flowers across decades.

Choose the right Magnolia

Compact hedges: Teddy Bear, Little Gem, Coolwyn Gloss. Features: Kay Parris, Exmouth. Deciduous spring drama: Magnolia x soulangeana.

Plant well

Full sun to part shade with sheltered position. Well-drained slightly acidic soil enriched with compost. Dig the planting hole twice the width of the rootball and the same depth. Set the rootball level with surrounding soil. Backfill, water deeply.

Mulch and feed

Lay 75 to 100mm of organic mulch from 50mm clear of the trunk out to the drip line. Feed in early spring with a slow-release fertiliser for acid-loving plants. Top-dress with compost annually.

Water through the first two summers

Deep watering twice a week through the first two summers. Established Magnolias hold their own on rainfall in most years.

Light shaping prune only

Prune lightly after flowering if needed for shape. Magnolias prefer a gentle shaping cut over a hard prune — the natural form is the look.

The Magnolia perfect pair

The strongest Magnolia plantings layer a compact hedging grandiflora behind a single deciduous Magnolia x soulangeana feature in front. Add Japanese Box Topiary Balls at the base for sculptural punctuation.

Compare at a glance

CultivarHeightWidthFormFoliageBest if you…
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'
Coolwyn Gloss Magnolia 		6-10m3-5mUpright dense pyramidHighly glossy dark green with copper undersidePolished privacy screens and feature trees in modern gardens.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Little Gem Magnolia 		4-6m2-3mUpright pyramidalGlossy dark green with copper undersideSmall gardens, narrow side beds, courtyard features.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Teddy Bear Magnolia 		4-6m2-3mTight upright pyramidGlossy dark green with rich copper undersideNarrow side gardens, polished privacy screens, formal entries.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'
Kay Parris Magnolia 		5-8m3-4mUpright pyramidalGlossy dark green with velvety chocolate-brown undersideFeature lawn trees, formal screens, layered evergreen gardens.
Magnolia x soulangeana
Saucer Magnolia 		4-6m3-5mSoft roundedSoft green broad leaves, ageing soft yellow in autumnFront garden feature, lawn specimens, cool to temperate Australian gardens.
Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'

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

Evergreen magnolia with the glossiest dark foliage in the family. Large fragrant cream flowers across spring and summer.

Type
Evergreen feature or hedging tree
Height
6-10m
Width
3-5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Highly glossy dark green with copper underside
Flowers
Large fragrant cream-white flowers, spring to summer
Form
Upright dense pyramid
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Free-draining soil. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Maintenance
Low. Can be pruned to desired height.
Best for
Polished privacy screens and feature trees in modern gardens.

Why choose it

Heads above other grandifloras for foliage gloss right through the year.

Perfect pair

Pair as a feature with a Bay Miles Choice topiary as a structured accent.

Tips for planting

Mulch heavily to keep roots cool. Water deeply through the first two summers.

The glossiest magnolia for year round polish.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Coolwyn Gloss'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'

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

Compact evergreen magnolia bred for small gardens. Glossy dark leaves with copper undersides and near-continuous flowering.

Type
Evergreen compact feature tree
Height
4-6m
Width
2-3m
Growth rate
Slow to moderate
Foliage
Glossy dark green with copper underside
Flowers
Large fragrant cream flowers spring through autumn
Form
Upright pyramidal
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Free-draining soil. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Maintenance
Low. Can be pruned to desired height.
Best for
Small gardens, narrow side beds, courtyard features.

Why choose it

All the grandiflora elegance at half the size.

Perfect pair

Pair as a feature with a Murraya hedge for a layered evergreen entry.

Tips for planting

Plant in a sheltered position with morning sun. Mulch and water through the first two summers.

Small-garden magnolia magic.

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

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

Tight upright magnolia with dense dark foliage and copper undersides. The polished narrow magnolia for modern urban blocks.

Type
Evergreen feature or hedge tree
Height
4-6m
Width
2-3m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Glossy dark green with rich copper underside
Flowers
Large fragrant cream flowers spring to autumn
Form
Tight upright pyramid
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Free-draining soil. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Maintenance
Low. Can be pruned to desired height.
Best for
Narrow side gardens, polished privacy screens, formal entries.

Why choose it

Narrowest natural form in the grandiflora family. Looks tailored without trying.

Perfect pair

Pair as a screen with a clipped Bay topiary at the entry.

Tips for planting

Plant 1.5-2m apart for a screen. Mulch generously.

The smartest narrow evergreen magnolia available.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'

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

Evergreen magnolia with deep glossy foliage and rich velvety brown undersides. Heavy flowering and reliable across most Australian climates.

Type
Evergreen feature or screen tree
Height
5-8m
Width
3-4m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Glossy dark green with velvety chocolate-brown underside
Flowers
Large fragrant cream flowers, heavy flowering across warm months
Form
Upright pyramidal
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Free-draining soil. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Maintenance
Low. Can be pruned to desired height.
Best for
Feature lawn trees, formal screens, layered evergreen gardens.

Why choose it

The most reliable heavy flowering grandiflora for Australian conditions.

Perfect pair

Pair as a feature with a Waterhousea hedge for a layered evergreen backdrop.

Tips for planting

Mulch heavily to keep roots cool. Feed lightly in spring.

Magnolia at its most generous.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'
Magnolia x soulangeana

5. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

Spectacular deciduous magnolia with huge pink-and-white tulip-shaped flowers on bare branches in early spring.

Type
Deciduous flowering feature tree
Height
4-6m
Width
3-5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Soft green broad leaves, ageing soft yellow in autumn
Flowers
Huge pink-and-white tulip-shaped flowers on bare branches in early spring
Form
Soft rounded
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Free-draining loam. Frost tolerant.
Maintenance
Low. Minimal pruning.
Best for
Front garden feature, lawn specimens, cool to temperate Australian gardens.

Why choose it

Few flowering trees deliver this much drama in such a short window.

Perfect pair

Pair as a feature against an evergreen Magnolia Teddy Bear screen for a layered show.

Tips for planting

Plant in a sheltered spot where late frost won't damage early flowers. Avoid heavy clay.

Spring drama at its absolute peak.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana

Frequently asked questions

Do magnolias need acid soil?
They prefer slightly acidic free-draining soil. Add aged manure and compost at planting in heavy clay.
Can magnolias grow in pots?
Little Gem and Teddy Bear are the best pot options. Use the largest container possible and a quality free-draining mix.
Why isn't my magnolia flowering?
Most commonly too much shade, not enough water in the first two years, or too much nitrogen-heavy fertiliser. Give it sun, deep water and a balanced feed in spring.

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