Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'

Name: Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback'
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 1400.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$1,400.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 200L

200L 150L 100L 40cm/45L

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.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About 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.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / 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).

Frost Tolerance

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' frost tolerant?

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

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

Is Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' an Australian Native? 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.

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preffered 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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Greenback Magnolia

Genus: Magnolia

Botanical Species: grandiflora

Family: Magnoliaceae

Botanical Name: Magnolia 'Greenback'

Landscape Uses

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.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant:

Site Selection: Choose a well-draining location with adequate sunlight for optimal growth.
Soil Preparation: Amend the soil with organic matter and ensure proper drainage.
Planting: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, position the tree, and backfill with soil.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and hydrate the root system.

Feature Planting: Space 3 – 4 m apart to allow full shape development

Hedging & Screening: Space 2 – 3 m apart for dense evergreen screening

Avenue Planting: Space 3.5 – 4.5 m apart for upright uniformity

Caring for Your Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback':

Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during hot and dry periods.
Pruning: Prune to remove dead or undesirable branches and to shape the tree as needed.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Magnolia 'Greenback' prefers rich, well-drained soil, but adapts well to various conditions:

Sandy Soil: Requires organic matter and regular watering to retain moisture.

Clay Soil: Needs improved drainage with compost and gypsum to prevent water retention.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for steady growth and strong root establishment.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, but tolerates mild alkalinity.

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

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

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)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun
Part Shade

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

Does Magnolia grandiflora 'Greenback' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

White

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.