Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

$350.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L 150L 200L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 0.9m – 1.4m Approx.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.
150L: Enquire within for height guide information.
200L: 1.7m – 2m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 15m Approximately

Mature Width: 2 – 3 meters

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is expected to grow Approx 20 – 40 cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

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About Your New Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Magnolia 'Greenback' is a lush, evergreen magnolia variety valued for its dense, vibrant green foliage and compact, pyramidal form. Growing 4–6 meters tall (up to 7–8 meters in ideal conditions) and 2–3 meters wide, it creates an excellent privacy screen or windbreak with a formal, upright habit.

Its glossy, velvety leaves often feature lighter undersides, adding visual contrast. While primarily grown for foliage, it occasionally blooms large, fragrant white flowers. Tolerant of various soils and urban pollution, and moderately drought-hardy once established, 'Greenback' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It requires low maintenance with minimal pruning and regular watering during establishment and dry periods.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Features and Benefits

Organically certified product
Improves aeration for roots
A rich blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, Gypsum, composted coarse bark and wetting agent
Excellent to mix with heavy clay soils, an organic mixture with added gypsum which is perfect for exotic plants
Revitalises tired soils, adds nutrient and organic matter, no chemical additives, weed free
Assists in retaining moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering

Directions For Use

Water plant well at least several hours prior to planting.
Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and 7cm deeper than the pot.
Mix Grow Better Enriched Planting Mix with the soil that has been dug out of the hole, adding about 1/3 planting mix.
Spread a 7cm layer of improved soil in the hole and remove plant from the pot. Tease roots gently if the root ball is very firm and place plant in the planting hole. Check that pot soil is level with the surrounding soil surface level, not higher or lower.
Fill in the hole with improved soil mixture, firm down soil and water well adding Grow Better Plant Starter to final watering.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Screening or Privacy
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 15m Approximately

Mature Width: 2 – 3 meters

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is expected to grow Approx 20 – 40 cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is expected to grow Approx 20 – 40 cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' frost tolerant?

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' Flower?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Greenback’ produces large, creamy-white, cup-shaped flowers from late spring through summer, with a light citrus fragrance. These classic magnolia blooms contrast beautifully with the glossy deep green foliage and its characteristic pale green—rather than bronze—leaf underside, creating an elegant and refined seasonal display.

Does Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

White

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is Native to A selected cultivar of Magnolia grandiflora, originally native to the southeastern United States, bred for its ornamental foliage and flowers.

What is the Wildlife Value of Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, beetles and other pollinating insects, while the dense evergreen foliage provides excellent shelter and nesting habitat for small birds. The seed-filled cones that follow flowering also support wildlife and contribute to biodiversity in urban and ornamental plantings.

How much Sunlight does Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' need?

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Greenback’ performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic loam or sandy loam soils. It may struggle in heavy clay, alkaline or poorly drained sites unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance soil structure and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support dense evergreen growth, strong root development and reliable flowering.

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' Drought Tolerant?

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Greenback’ develops good drought tolerance. It performs reliably in warm, dry and coastal conditions and maintains its dense evergreen canopy with deep, occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.

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How To Plant Your Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' is expected to grow Approx 20 – 40 cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, keep the root zone consistently moist with weekly deep watering and additional water during hot dry spells.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for scale or sooty mould in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' in Different Soil

Magnolia grandiflora performs best in rich, well-drained loam with a slightly acidic pH and consistent moisture. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage and organic matter are managed well.

Sandy soil: Free-draining but enrich heavily with compost and mulch deeply to hold moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost, and mound slightly to lift the root zone.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent flowering.

pH: Slightly acidic preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter or pine bark to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the optimal time to plant Magnolia 'Greenback'?
Early spring or fall is the best time to plant, as the milder temperatures help the roots to establish.
How often should I water my Greenback Magnolia?
Water regularly, especially during the establishment period and in times of drought.
Is Magnolia 'Greenback' prone to any pests or diseases?
While relatively hardy, it can sometimes be affected by scale insects or leaf spot. Regular inspection and maintenance can help prevent these issues.
Can the Greenback Magnolia be pruned into a hedge?
Yes, it responds well to pruning and can be shaped into a formal hedge or screen.
What are the key advantages of choosing Magnolia 'Greenback'?
Its evergreen nature, dense foliage for privacy, and the classic beauty of occasional magnolia flowers make it a versatile and attractive choice for many landscapes.