There are plenty of stunning magnolia varieties available to pack into your garden. These fragrant plants come in all shapes and sizes, with different species having distinct aesthetic identities and unique care requirements. Picking the right ones for your garden/greenhouse depends on a variety of factors.
This blog, rather than highlighting the different magnolia species, will be focused on offering tips for choosing between the options available.
The magnolia bush varieties you choose should be suitable for your garden space and the size of the display you’re looking to create. Some magnolias are a lot more compact, like the evergreen plants known as Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’, while Magnolia Susan can be a lot larger.
It’s also important to consider the growth habit of the species you choose – will it be more rounded and bushy or more upright?
Choosing between magnolia plant varieties will largely come down to your personal preference. There are many differences between magnolias, with some of the plants barely even resembling one another.
Elements to consider include:
Your colour psychology and how the flower will suit it e.g. the calming white of Magnolia stellata or the deep and vibrant purples of Magnolia Black Tulips
Bloom shapes can be star-shaped, tulip-reminiscent, saucer-shaped and more – choose the shape that suits your dream display
Magnolias are fragrant plants, with the different varieties having different scents – do some research to choose between more citrusy, sweet or spicy tones – smell psychology can be just as important as colour!
These might seem like superficial characteristics but they’re going to define how you interact with and enjoy the display daily, so they need to be approached thoughtfully.
Your appetite for gardening maintenance and different visual styles should guide whether you choose deciduous or evergreen plants in the magnolia family.
These will lose their leaves in fall, with blooming taking place in early spring, generally on bare branches. This creates a dramatic display for your garden.
These magnolia varieties retain glossy, leathery green leaves all-year round, with blooms appearing in the summer. They’re great for maintaining year-round display structure.
There are plenty of stunning choices in both deciduous and evergreen magnolia shrub varieties, so do plenty of research or even consider mixing and matching for displays! Evergreen varieties might be better if you live in an area with harsh winters.
Now that you know what differences you might come across, there are some basic processes you should go through before picking the magnolia species for your garden.
Make a note of your available space
Check your soil type and pH
Consider the sunlight exposure around the garden
Research every variety that you’re interested in
Decide what aesthetic will best suit your dream display
Take note of care requirements and your available time/effort for active gardening
The most important thing is going to a good supplier, with a wide range of options and information available. Choosing a store like One Click Plants will offer you unbeatable access to magnolia varieties, along with plenty of information so you can create your dream outdoor space.
