Michelia alba – White Champaca - Evergreen Trees Direct

Michelia alba – White Champaca

Name: Michelia alba – White Champaca
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: MICHALB200L
Price: 1350.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$1,350.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

997 in stock

Size: 200L

200L 100L 40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.
200L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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 Michelia alba – White Champaca

Michelia alba, known as White Champaca, is a highly fragrant evergreen flowering tree prized for its lush upright form and glossy green foliage. Growing 8–12 meters tall and 4–6 meters wide, it serves as a stunning feature in warm-climate gardens, subtropical courtyards, and upscale landscapes.

From spring to summer, it produces creamy-white, jasmine-scented flowers that perfume the garden, especially in early mornings and evenings. Thriving in full sun to part shade and well-drained, fertile soils, Michelia alba prefers frost protection in cooler areas and performs well in large containers.

With moderate growth and low maintenance needs, this tree adds tropical elegance and year-round greenery to a variety of outdoor settings.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Michelia alba – White Champaca is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m - 10m Approximately

Mature Width: 4 – 6 metres

Michelia alba – White Champaca is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Michelia alba – White Champaca frost tolerant?

Michelia alba – White Champaca is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Flowering Information

Michelia alba produces highly fragrant, creamy-white narrow-petalled flowers from late spring through autumn, with flushes continuing in warm climates. The intensely perfumed blooms sit close to the stems among the glossy foliage, creating a luxurious and continuous seasonal display.

Native Information

Is Michelia alba – White Champaca an Australian Native? No

Michelia alba – White Champaca is Native to South and Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and southern China, where it grows in warm forests and cultivated gardens.

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich, strongly scented blooms attract bees, butterflies and night-pollinating moths. The dense evergreen canopy provides valuable shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the glossy leaves create shaded micro-habitats that support beneficial insects in tropical and subtropical gardens.

Sunlight Information

Michelia alba – White Champaca will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Michelia alba 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 fertility and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then maintain deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support healthy evergreen growth, rich fragrance production and consistent flowering.

Botanical Information

Common Name: White Champaca / White Michelia / Pak Lan

Genus: Michelia

Botanical Species: alba

Family: Magnoliaceae

Botanical Name: Michelia alba

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Screening or Privacy

Michelia alba – White Champaca works in an:

Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Planting Your Tree:

Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and protection from strong winds.
Ensure the planting site has well-drained soil, rich in organic matter.
Plant in a hole twice as wide as the root ball and at the same depth it was in the pot.
Backfill with soil mixed with organic compost, and water thoroughly.
Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Feature Planting: 5 – 6 metres apart for canopy development

Screening: 3 – 4 metres apart

Caring For Your Tree:

Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
Prune only to remove dead or diseased wood; extensive pruning is not usually necessary.
Protect from frost by covering with frost cloth or moving containers indoors if possible.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Michelia alba prefers rich, well-drained soil but adapts to a variety of conditions:

Sandy Soil: Benefits from regular mulching and organic matter to improve moisture retention.

Clay Soil: Can become compacted—amend with organic matter and ensure good drainage.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for strong root development and lush foliage.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil; avoid highly alkaline conditions.

Michelia alba – White Champaca is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

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

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires consistent watering, and once established White Champaca has moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in warm, humid, well-watered environments, but benefits from deep, occasional watering during dry spells to maintain lush foliage, steady growth and reliable flowering.

Flowering Information

Does Michelia alba – White Champaca flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How often does Magnolia alba flower?
A: The White Champaca blooms throughout the year with a peak in late spring and early summer.

Q: Can Magnolia alba be grown in a pot?
A: Yes, it can be container-grown, especially when young, allowing for control over growth in small gardens or patios.

Q: Is Magnolia alba suitable for cold climates?
A: It prefers warmer climates and needs protection from frost.

Q: How much sun does a Magnolia alba need?
A: It performs best in full sun to partial shade. More sun encourages more prolific flowering.

Q: Are the flowers of Magnolia alba fragrant?
A: Yes, the flowers are known for their strong and delightful lemony fragrance.

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