When to plant Evergreen Magnolia?

We have just bought a very large (10') Magnolia Grandiflora Gallissoniere in a container. We were intending to plant it out shortly, but have now read that it is best to wait until April. Just wondering if anyone has had good/bad experience after planting a large one of these in late Autumn. Obviously having parted with some serious cash I want to minimise any risk and can keep it in container over winter. We are in Devon, but about 600ft above sea level.
Thanks,
Nicand

 

I don't know the answer. My thoughts are:

Container grown can be planted at any time.

I would generally choose to plant trees and shrubs in November

Things (particularly evergreens) can get a bit battered over the Winter - but you are in the mildest part of the country I assume?)

Keeping it in a pot over winter may be more stressful from Over/Under watering - bit hard to gauge for a large plant, and in winter when its needs are possibly modest

If it has been lifted, i.e. bare-root, and potted for transport then I would be particularly keen to get it in the ground, rather than leave it in pot, as roots will have been pruned. (Likely to be evidence of Hessian rootball-wrapping if this is the case)

I would put in a good stake - to stop it rocking about in the wind. I would also put a length [3 feet, say] of 2" perforated-drainage pipe in the planting hole - around the rootball (as low/deep as possible) with one end turned up to the surface to allow watering in the next few Summers so that the water goes around/under the roots (encouraging them down rather than upto/along the surface). Add some bonemeal in the bottom of the planting hole. Given that it is a "choice" plant you might also consider some mycorrhizal fungi additive to stimulant root growth. Bit of a Snake Oil / Magic Potion, but supposedly helps plants to establish root growth.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply Kristen. As you suggest, being November, when I bought it I did expect to plant it out now, but then I haven't bought an evergreen this size before. Although Devon is mild, we are between Dartmoor and Exmoor at 600ft above sea level, it is open farmland and can be quite cold & windy at times. I have hankered after a G. Mag for years and could resist no longer! The conundrum is although we have achieved various micro climates around the house with hedges and trees a Mag. Grandiflora is a large tree and it will need to start off in an open area where it can grow. Anyway last night, after reading your reply, (turning it over in my mind as you do!), I had an idea ... we have a scaffolding tower! So I will risk planting it out now as you suggest, but put the scaffold tower around it with fleece around the tower as a protective screen! Sounds a bit extreme I know, but I can't think it will cause it any problems and it will give it some protection whilst it settles in.
Thanks again for your reply. having looked at your blog I am amazed you find the time! I thought we took on some projects, but ...! Very inspirational.
Nicand

 

"So I will risk planting it out now as you suggest, but put the scaffold tower around it with fleece around the tower as a protective screen!"

I think that is an excellent idea! Bit worried that "fleece" will not withstand the punishing winds, but something that reduces the drying effect of the wind would be ideal.

The trouble with you thinking that my project gives you inspiration is that we go to gardens much bigger than ours and come back with a combination of Depression and Inspiration - and then we foolishly expand our projects!

 

Personally I wouldnt worry about a fleece screen round Magnolia Grandiflora, they are pretty tough for the UK climate, and Devon typically has milder winters than I do. If it was me I would get it planted and staked now.

I have had one planted out for 4 years I think, and its never suffered over winter despite the last couple of unpleasant ones.

 

Thank you Tropical Gaz and Marley for taking the time to reply, I am so glad you both think Grand Mags are hardy enough, I have used fleece just to be on the safe side.
To update the story ... We planted our beautiful tree carefully on Monday, everything went perfectly. We then erected the scaffold tower around it (see my second post) and covered that in fleece. Monday night temp dropped top -5 here, but 'Maggie' looked fine yesterday. Yesterday evening I re secured the fleece more firmly around the tower as it was rather loose. This morning... disaster. I awoke to fierce gale force winds and lashing rain, obviously my first thought was the tree. I imagined the fleece to be in the next village wrapped round a terrified cow's head, but reality was far worse than that ... the fleece was still secured to the tower, but during the night the tower had toppled over, pinning the top of the tree to the ground... I had secured the fleece too well and not secured the tower to the ground enough.
The tree had one clean split up the centre of the trunk for about 5" where it had bent down, this disappeared when I pulled it upright so I have bound it tightly in the hope it will heal. We have also put a cross brace stake and secured it just above the damage... I have now put fleece around the actual tree, but the tower is stored away. Not such a good idea after all! Is there a specialist tape I should be using, maybe grafting tape? I have used a linen cloth then gaffer tape then waterproof flashing tape. Does the bark need to breathe?
Nicand