Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

$1,700.00

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Size: 200L

200L 300L 750L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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: 5m to 8m

Mature Width: 3m to 5m

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm 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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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora 'St Mary' is a compact evergreen form of the Southern Magnolia, selected for its dense habit and heavy flowering from a young age. The leaves are glossy dark green above with a bronze brown underside that shows when the wind lifts them. Cream, cup shaped flowers up to 25 centimetres wide open with a strong scent.

Full sun to part shade suits it, in slightly acidic, well drained soil. It flowers from late spring through summer, tolerates light to moderate frost once established and shows good drought tolerance after a couple of seasons. Growth is moderate at 20 to 40 centimetres a year, with only occasional pruning needed to hold its shape.

Mature specimens sit around 5 to 8 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide, which suits avenue planting, screening in larger gardens, shade over a seating area and civic landscapes. The upright, dense crown also holds up as a statement tree in formal schemes where year round foliage matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

About St Mary Magnolia

What is Magnolia grandiflora 'St Mary'?

It is a compact evergreen form of the Southern Magnolia, selected for dense growth and heavy flowering from a young age. The leaves are glossy dark green above with a bronze brown underside. Cream, cup shaped flowers up to 25 centimetres across open with a strong fragrance through the warmer months.

How big does St Mary Magnolia grow?

Mature trees generally reach 5 to 8 metres in height and 3 to 5 metres in width, with a broadly pyramidal crown. That is noticeably more compact than the standard Southern Magnolia, which is the point of the selection. Allow 3 to 4 metres between plants when growing them as feature trees.

When does it flower?

From late spring through summer, roughly November to February, with flowers opening in waves rather than all together. Each bloom is large, cream and heavily perfumed, and lasts a few days. Unlike many magnolias it flowers well while still young, so a newly planted tree will give you blooms early.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes, it handles light to moderate frost once established and grows well through temperate districts with cold winters. Young plants are more vulnerable in their first winter and benefit from a mulched root zone and shelter from cold wind. Hard, prolonged frost on exposed inland sites can mark the foliage.

Is it suitable for coastal positions?

It does well in coastal gardens a row or two back from the beach, where the thick leathery leaves cope with wind and occasional salt spray. Constant exposure to salt laden wind on a front line site will burn the foliage. With a windbreak or a fence in front of it, it is a dependable coastal screen.

How far apart should I plant it for screening?

For a dense informal screen, plant 2 to 3 metres apart, or 1.5 metres apart for a closer screening row. Avenue planting works at 3 metres apart for a uniform line, and individual feature trees want 3 to 4 metres so the canopy can develop fully. Wider spacing means less competition for water.

How do I care for St Mary Magnolia?

Water regularly through the establishment period, after which it manages on occasional deep soakings. Mulch over the root zone, keeping it off the trunk, and feed in early spring with a fertiliser for acid loving plants. Prune only occasionally to hold its shape, working after the main flowering has finished.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Feature Tree
Avenue Planting
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia 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 ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia Evergreen or Deciduous?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 8m

Mature Width: 3m to 5m

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

Is Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia frost tolerant?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia Flower?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ produces large, creamy-white, lemon-scented flowers from late spring into summer, with intermittent blooms continuing into early autumn. These bold, upright blooms contrast beautifully with the glossy green foliage and rich bronze undersides, creating a classic and highly ornamental magnolia display.

Does Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Cream

Is Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia an Australian Native Tree?

No

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is Native to Southeastern United States, where Magnolia grandiflora grows naturally in coastal plains and moist woodlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, beetles and other pollinating insects, while the dense evergreen canopy provides excellent nesting and shelter for small birds. The seed-bearing cones that follow offer food for wildlife and contribute to improved biodiversity in ornamental garden settings.

How much Sunlight does Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia need?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic loam or sandy loam soils. It may struggle in heavy clay, alkaline or poorly drained areas 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, healthy roots and consistent seasonal flowering.

Is Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia Drought Tolerant?

Is Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘St Mary’ develops good drought tolerance. It performs strongly in warm, dry and coastal conditions and maintains its dense, upright structure with deep, occasional watering during extended dry spells.

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How To Plant Your Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

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 ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

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 ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Magnolia grandiflora ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia

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 ‘St Mary’ – St Mary Magnolia 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.