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Magnolia figo x yunnanensis 'White Caviar' - White Caviar Magnolia

About Your New Magnolia figo x yunnanensis 'White Caviar' - White Caviar Magnolia

Magnolia figo x yunnanensis 'White Caviar' is an evergreen hybrid magnolia, formerly grouped under Michelia, grown for masses of small, creamy white, heavily fragrant flowers in spring. The buds are furred and pearl like before they open. Dark green glossy leaves hold through winter on an upright, densely branched frame.

It takes full sun to partial shade and grows in most well drained soils, including clay, loam and sand. Warm temperate, subtropical and milder cool temperate gardens all suit it. Growth is moderate at 20 to 40 centimetres a year, and once established it handles moderate dry spells with occasional deep watering.

At 4 to 6 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide it makes a narrow evergreen screen, a clipped hedge along a boundary, or a scented feature near an outdoor living area. Councils and designers reach for it where year round cover is needed in a limited width.

Frequently Asked Questions

About White Caviar Magnolia

What is Magnolia 'White Caviar'?

It is an evergreen hybrid between Magnolia figo and Magnolia yunnanensis, both formerly classed as Michelia. It carries masses of small, creamy white, strongly fragrant flowers in spring, held against glossy dark green foliage. Furred pearl like buds give the plant its name. It grows as a dense upright shrub or small tree.

Is White Caviar Magnolia evergreen or deciduous?

It is evergreen and holds its glossy foliage through the entire year, which separates it from the deciduous magnolias. Both parent species are evergreen. That year round cover is the reason it is used for screening and hedging rather than as a bare winter feature tree with a short flowering season.

How big does it grow?

It reaches 4 to 6 metres in height and 2 to 3 metres in width, so it is tall relative to its footprint. That narrow habit is useful along boundaries and in side gardens. Clipping will hold it lower and denser if you want a hedge at two or three metres instead.

When does it flower?

In spring, generally September to November, with the heaviest flush over several weeks. The flowers are small compared with a deciduous magnolia, but there are many of them and the fragrance carries a long way on a warm afternoon. Scattered flowers can appear outside the main season in warm districts.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge or screen?

Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. As a feature or specimen, allow 3 to 4 metres between plants so each can develop a full canopy. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more water and feeding in the early years.

Is it suitable for coastal positions?

It grows well in coastal gardens set back from the front line, where the thick leaves handle wind and reflected heat. It is not a first row dune plant and will burn in constant salt laden wind. Given a windbreak or a fence between it and the water, it performs reliably.

How do I care for White Caviar Magnolia?

Water deeply through the first two summers while the roots establish, after which it manages on occasional deep soakings in dry weather. Mulch the root zone and feed in early spring and again after flowering. Trim lightly after the spring flush to keep it dense. Avoid hard cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots slowly.

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Uses in my Garden

  • Screening or Privacy
  • Shrubs
  • Underplanting
  • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Magnolia figo x yunnanensis 'White Caviar' - White Caviar Magnolia works in an:

  • Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
  • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

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