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Michelia alba – White Champaca - Evergreen Trees Direct

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

$480.00

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Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L 200L

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.

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: 6m to 10m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (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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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

Michelia alba, the White Michelia, is one of the most intensely fragrant trees you can plant. Narrow strap-shaped ivory flowers open through the warm months and carry a sweet, fruity perfume that fills a courtyard on a still evening. One tree is enough to scent a garden.

The fragrance is not a marketing line. These flowers are steam-distilled commercially for perfume and cosmetics, and across Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan they are strung into garlands for weddings and temple offerings. If you have searched for this tree as White Champaca, Pak Lan, Bai Yu Lan or Cempaka Putih, this is the same plant. Botanists now classify it as Magnolia x alba, a hybrid of Magnolia champaca and Magnolia montana, but the nursery trade still calls it Michelia.

Our stock is grafted, which matters more than most people realise. Seed-grown champacas can take years to produce a single flower. Grafted plants bloom young, stay more compact, and repeat in flushes from spring through to autumn rather than giving one short burst.

It grows to 6 to 10 metres in Australian gardens with an upright slender frame and glossy evergreen leaves, so it screens a boundary as well as it perfumes a garden. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering. It is frost sensitive and performs best in Queensland, northern NSW and warm frost-free coastal positions. In cooler regions it does well in a large pot that can be shifted under shelter for winter.

Plant it where you will walk past it. Beside a door, along a path, under a bedroom window, or next to where you sit outside. A fragrant tree at the back of a block is a wasted tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Michelia alba White Michelia

What is Michelia alba?

Michelia alba is an evergreen flowering tree grown for its intensely fragrant ivory flowers. In Australia it is sold as the White Michelia or White Champaca. Botanically it is now classified as Magnolia x alba, a hybrid of Magnolia champaca and Magnolia montana, though the nursery trade still uses the name Michelia. Other names include White Jade Orchid Tree, Pak Lan, Bai Yu Lan and Cempaka Putih.

How fragrant is the White Michelia?

It is among the most fragrant trees in cultivation. The scent is sweet, fruity and floral, often compared to magnolia crossed with ylang-ylang. The flowers are distilled commercially for perfume and cosmetic oil. Fragrance peaks in the early morning and again after dark, and carries a long way on still warm air.

How is it different from Michelia champaca?

Michelia champaca, the Golden Champaca, has orange-yellow flowers and is one parent of this hybrid. The White Michelia has ivory flowers, a softer fragrance, and a more compact slower-growing habit that suits pots and smaller gardens. Champaca is seed-grown and slow to flower. Our White Michelia is grafted and flowers young.

How tall does it grow?

Around 6 to 10 metres in Australian gardens, with a 4 to 6 metre spread and an upright slender frame. In true tropical conditions it goes considerably taller. It takes pruning well, so it can be held smaller against a boundary or in a courtyard.

When does it flower?

In repeated flushes from spring through to autumn, roughly September to April, rather than one short burst. On mature trees in warm frost-free positions, scattered flowers appear almost year-round.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

Tropical and subtropical Queensland, northern NSW, and warm frost-free coastal positions including sheltered parts of Sydney. It is frost sensitive and not suited to cold inland or cool southern districts in the ground. In those regions grow it in a large pot that can be moved under cover for winter.

Can it grow in a pot?

Yes, and it is one of the better champacas for it, because grafted plants stay compact and flower young. Use 60 litres or more with a quality free-draining mix, keep it evenly moist through the warm months, and feed in spring and again after the first flush.

Why is it sometimes called White Sandalwood?

White Sandalwood is a trade name for this tree, but it is a misnomer. True sandalwood is Santalum album, an unrelated species. The name stuck because both are valued for fragrance. If you are after sandalwood for oil production, this is not the same plant.

Is it evergreen?

Yes. It holds glossy mid-green foliage year-round, so it works as a screen or privacy tree as well as a fragrant feature.

How fast does it grow?

Around 30 to 60 centimetres a year in suitable warm climates, which is moderate. Growth slows noticeably in cooler positions or where it runs short of water through summer.

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine

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Trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly called Star Jasmine, is an evergreen twining climber, and despite the name it is not a true jasmine. Stems wind through wire and lattice and build a woody framework over time, carrying oval, glossy dark green leaves. Scented white flowers shaped like five pointed stars open through spring and summer.

Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, though it grows perfectly well in part shade. Any free draining soil will do. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. It is frost tolerant once established, handles salt wind and short dry periods, and performs from Perth and Adelaide through to Sydney and Brisbane.

On a fence or wall it covers 2 to 3 metres of support, more with age and training. Left unsupported it spreads as a groundcover 30 to 45 centimetres deep, useful on batters and under established trees. It is the standard answer when a boundary needs green cover without the bulk of a hedge.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Star Jasmine

What is Star Jasmine?

Trachelospermum jasminoides is an evergreen twining climber from east Asia, and despite the common name it is not a true jasmine. It builds a woody framework of stems carrying glossy dark green leaves, and produces scented white flowers shaped like five pointed stars. It is grown as a climber, a groundcover or a clipped cover.

How fast does Star Jasmine grow?

Growth is moderate at about 30 to 50 centimetres a year once established. The first year is slow while the roots develop, and the pace picks up noticeably in the second and third seasons. Regular water and a spring feed speed things along, and plants tied in early cover a fence faster than those left to find their own way.

Does Star Jasmine need sun or shade?

It grows in full sun through to part shade. Full sun produces the tightest growth and by far the most flowers, while shaded plants stay leafier with sparse flowering. In hot inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch. Against a west facing wall, make sure the roots stay mulched and watered.

Is Star Jasmine frost tolerant?

Yes, established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, though the leaves often take on a bronze or purple tone through winter and green up again in spring. Young plants in their first winter are more vulnerable and benefit from a sheltered position or a temporary cover in cold inland districts.

Can Star Jasmine be used as a groundcover?

Yes. Left without support it spreads sideways into a dense mat roughly 30 to 45 centimetres deep, which is a common way to cover batters, median strips and the ground under established trees. Space plants about 1 metre apart for cover within two seasons, and trim the runners back off paths.

Is Star Jasmine suitable for coastal positions?

It handles coastal conditions well, including salt laden wind and sandy soil, provided it is not in the front line of direct salt spray. Improve sandy ground with compost before planting and mulch to hold moisture. It is used widely on coastal fences and retaining walls along the eastern and southern seaboard.

How do I care for Star Jasmine?

Water through the first two summers, after which it asks for very little. Prune after flowering, cutting back long runners and thinning the framework if it has built up thick and woody. It takes a hard cut back and reshoots. Feed in early spring. Wear gloves when pruning, as the milky sap can irritate skin.

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine - Evergreen Trees Direct

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine

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Uses in my Garden

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

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree 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.

Is Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?

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

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 10m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

Is Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree frost tolerant?

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

Does Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree Flower?

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.

Does Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer
Autumn

Flower Type:

Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

White

Is Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree an Australian Native Tree?

No

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree is Native to Of cultivated hybrid origin, not found in the wild. Michelia alba (Magnolia × alba) is considered a cross between Magnolia champaca and Magnolia montana, and has been grown for centuries across southern China, Taiwan and tropical Southeast Asia for its fragrance and ceremonial use.

What is the Wildlife Value of Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree ?

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.

How much Sunlight does Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree need?

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred 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.

Is Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree Drought Tolerant?

Is Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree Drought tolerant?

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.

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How To Plant Your Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

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 Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

Fragrant feature: Place within a few metres of a door, path, window or seating area so the perfume is where people are. This is the single most important siting decision for this tree.

Screening: 2 to 3 metres apart for an evergreen screen.

Specimen trees: 4 to 5 metres apart so each canopy develops fully.

Pots: 60 litres or larger, ideal for courtyards, entries and balconies in warm climates.

Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, keep the root zone consistently moist with weekly deep watering and extra water through hot dry spells. Fragrance and flowering both drop off if it runs dry in summer.

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

Pruning: Prune lightly after a flowering flush to control height and keep the canopy dense. Avoid hard cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots slowly.

Fertilising: Feed with a slow-release fertiliser for flowering trees in early spring and again after the first flush. Michelia alba is not an Australian native, so a standard complete fertiliser suits it and there is no need to avoid phosphorus.

Frost protection: Protect young plants from frost. In cooler regions keep it potted so it can be moved under cover through winter.

Pest and disease: Hardy. Occasional scale or sooty mould in warm humid conditions is the main thing to watch.

Planting Your Michelia alba – White Michelia Fragrant Tree in Different Soil

Michelia alba performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

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

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does Michelia alba flower?
In repeated flushes from spring through autumn, roughly September to April, with scattered flowers almost year-round on mature trees in frost-free positions.

Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes. Use 60 litres or more with a free-draining mix. Grafted plants stay compact and flower young, which makes them well suited to containers.

Is it suitable for cold climates?
No. It is frost sensitive and needs a warm frost-free position, or a moveable pot in cooler regions.

How much sun does it need?
Full sun to part shade. More sun gives heavier flowering and stronger fragrance.

What does the fragrance smell like?
Sweet, fruity and floral, often compared to magnolia crossed with ylang-ylang. The flowers are distilled commercially for perfume oil.