Looking for a Magnolia.

Hi, there aren't that many Magnolias that 'stay' small, many varities eventually reach large shrub or small tree like proportions, they just differ in vigour.

However there are some, like the Stellata you already have, there are M.Yellow River and M.Satisfaction; see the link;

http://www.gardens4you.co.uk/index....Combo-Satisfaction/Yellow-River-2-Shrubs.html

There is also M.Susan, can grow 2-4m but is slow;

http://www.gardens4you.co.uk/index.php?/Trees/Magnolias/Magnolia-Susan-1-Shrub.html

 

Hi Lucy
I have a Magnolia susan , it is a very popular Magnolia and is RHS recommended . I planted it 6 years a go and by 4 years it had grown from a shrub into a very pretty little lollipop shaped tree of about 7 foot tall I do need to cut it back this winter to keep it at 7 foot, so will be asking advice on here on when and how to do it.

Just read your post , you don't want a tree..............

 

Here's another one;

Whispering Trees Nurseries - Magnolia trees - Magnolia Betty

This one tops out at about 4ft :thumb:, from the same website;

"The very popular Magnolia stellata, the Star Magnolia, and a very compact grower, yields several varieties such as Royal Star, which has larger pure white flowers, and stellata rosea, a change with soft pink one. These are magnolias that can be cultivated in containers as well as the garden, and their fascinating silver furry buds often begin to open in March. If you require your Magnolia to grow in a pot, also look for the stunning Hybrid 'Betty' or 'Susan' Both have deep wine coloured flowers. Betty matures to around 4' and Susan is just a little bigger. Both have the advantage of flowering for a long period which is particularly important if you are looking for a Magnolia for a pot or container."

 

Betty ... four foot or four metres ?

Magnolia 'Betty' - Spring Varieties 2011 - Thompson & Morgan

 

I rather like that. I've got a border which is primarily a manky conifer hedge, that I'm going to rip out next summer ... I'm planning on making it a purple (and variants) border ... I think I might get one of these for myself, love it

 

Lucy, went and bought one of those Satisfactions from these guys ... (delivered from Holland !)

Buy Magnolia Satisfaction - 1 Shrub - Gardens4you - Your Online Garden Centre

Ordered about a week ago, arrived today (posted on Friday, notification by email.)

Not cheap for £32 delivered, but you canna fault the packaging, VERY well and safely packaged, even in its own pot with compost and a mat to hold the earth in. Not huge, about hip height in its pot, but looks very healthy (lots of buds, green stems and healthy looking roots). Think I'm going to put it in a bigger pot and leave it in my conservatory for the winter.

 

Think you have a fair deal. Magnolias are generally expensive to buy but well worth it. If you do plant it in ground rather than pot make sure you add plenty of oganic matter- leaf mould is ideal. Do not disturb the roots once planted they are very shallow rooting and they can be easily damaged. A top dressing applied annually over the ground with leaf mould will help maintain the plant. Another tip if you are going to have a frost spray flowers with fine mist of water over the blossom it helps prevent frost damage to blooms.

Mark Pumphrey

 

The Star Magnolias stays small. I have one outside my bedroom window, been there almost 20 years, its about 25 feet tall, and 10 feet wide. Blooms in spring before its leaves, and smells wonderful. It is creamy white.