Magnolia delavayi

Family - Magnoliaceae
Category - Tree
Origin - China
Discovered By - Ernest Wilson
Year of Introduction - 1899
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H4
Height - 14m
Width - 10m
Location - The Walled Garden

Description: A large, Evergreen Shrub or medium-sized tree with a bushy habit. Large, grey-green leaves are oblong to ovate in shape with downy undersides. Each leaf can reach more than 30cm in length and the foliage is produced in abundance. Large, cup-shaped magnolia flowers open buff-white and become ivory with age. Each Bloom can reach 20cm across and is sweetly scented. Flowers are held singly on the branches and are produced from late summer into early autumn.

Gallery Images:

Flower:

Cup-shaped magnolia flowers open buff-white and become ivory-white with age. The blooms are scented and can reach 20cm in diameter. The flowers are held singly on the branches and are produced in August and September.

Flower colour: White

Flower shape: Cup-shaped magnolia flowers held singly

Flowering time: August, September

Foliage:

Large, leathery leaves are grey-green on the upper surfaces and downy on the undersides. The leaves are oblong to ovate in shape and can reach more than 30cm in length. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the branches.

Foliage Senescence: Evergreen

Foliage Shape: Oblong to ovate

Propagation:

Cuttings, seed.

Cultivation:

Best in a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.