Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L 300L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 0.9 m – 1.3 m Approx.
100L: 1.7 m – 2.5 m 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: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 4m

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

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

About Your New Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

Magnolia 'Vulcan' is a deciduous flowering magnolia raised in New Zealand by Felix Jury from Magnolia campbellii and M. liliiflora 'Nigra', although it is usually catalogued with the saucer magnolias. Deep ruby red, cup shaped flowers open on bare branches in spring, ahead of the broad green leaves that yellow before autumn leaf fall.

Mature size is 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 4 metres wide, with moderate growth of about 20 to 40 centimetres a year. Give it full sun to light shade and an acidic to neutral, well drained soil. It is frost hardy in cool and temperate districts, and moderately drought tolerant once established.

It is planted as a specimen in small gardens, or spaced 3 to 4 metres apart so each canopy develops fully, and at 3 metres apart it makes a short flowering avenue. Shelter from strong spring wind keeps the flowers on the tree longer, which is the main thing a buyer is paying for.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Vulcan Magnolia

What is Magnolia 'Vulcan'?

It is a deciduous flowering magnolia bred in New Zealand by Felix Jury, using Magnolia campbellii and M. liliiflora 'Nigra' as parents. Many catalogues list it among the saucer magnolias, but it is a Jury hybrid rather than a true Magnolia x soulangeana. The flowers are the deepest red of any garden magnolia.

How big does 'Vulcan' grow?

It reaches 3 to 5 metres tall and 2 to 4 metres wide, forming a pyramidal crown when young that rounds out with age. That size fits a suburban front garden without dominating it. Growth is moderate, so it takes several years to fill out, and it can be trained early to a single leader.

How fast does it grow?

About 20 to 40 centimetres a year, which is moderate for a deciduous tree. Growth is fastest in deep, moist, acidic to neutral soil with a summer mulch, and slows on shallow or alkaline ground. Flowering starts young, so you do not have to wait for full size to get a worthwhile display.

When does it flower?

In spring, roughly September to October, with the flowers opening on bare branches before the leaves emerge. They are large, cup shaped and deep ruby red, fading a little as they age and in heat. Colour is richest in cool districts; in warm humid areas the red tends toward a lighter pink.

Is it frost tolerant?

Yes. The tree is frost hardy and suits cool and temperate districts, including inland areas with regular winter frost. The risk is not to the wood but to the open flowers, which a late spring frost can brown overnight. Planting out of a frost pocket and away from early morning sun helps considerably.

Does it need sun or shade?

Full sun to light shade. Full sun produces the strongest flowering and the best form, while light afternoon shade suits hot inland gardens and helps the blooms last. Shelter from strong spring wind matters more than shade does, because wind strips the petals early and cuts the display short.

How do I prune and care for it?

Very little pruning is needed. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in late summer or straight after flowering, and avoid winter pruning, which sheds flower buds. Mulch the root zone, water deeply through dry spells for the first few summers, and feed in early spring with a fertiliser for acid loving plants.

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.

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' works in an:

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

Is Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 2m to 4m

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

Is Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' frost tolerant?

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' Flower?

Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Vulcan’ produces huge, goblet-shaped flowers in an intense ruby-red to deep burgundy tone, blooming from late winter into early spring. The blooms appear on bare branches and create a bold, dramatic display, renowned for being one of the richest and most striking red-flowered magnolias.

Does Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fragrant

Flower Colour:

Red

Is Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is Native to A cultivated hybrid magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana), bred in New Zealand from parent species Magnolia denudata and Magnolia liliiflora.

What is the Wildlife Value of Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' ?

Magnolia × soulangeana ‘Vulcan’ performs best in well-drained, slightly acidic loam or sandy loam soils. It may struggle in alkaline, compacted or waterlogged soils unless improved with organic matter to increase drainage, fertility and structure. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support vigorous growth, healthy root development and its signature rich red flowering.

How much Sunlight does Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' need?

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Its early-season, nectar-rich flowers attract bees and other emerging pollinators. The branching structure provides perching and shelter for small birds, while the large summer leaves create shaded understory habitats that support beneficial insects and microfauna.

Is Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' Drought Tolerant?

Is Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires consistent watering, and once established ‘Vulcan’ offers moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils and benefits from deep, occasional watering during hot or extended dry periods to maintain healthy foliage, strong bud set and vibrant flowering.

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How To Plant Your Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

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 x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

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 x soulangeana 'Vulcan' is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (moderate) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Magnolia x soulangeana 'Vulcan'

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: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

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 x soulangeana 'Vulcan' in Different Soil

Magnolia x 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

Q: How often should I water the tree during its first year?
A: Typically, once a week is sufficient, but in hot conditions or sandy soils, more frequent watering may be necessary.