Magnolia grandiflora 'PURPAN'® southern magnolia, bull bay

Purpan® is possibly the fastest growing bull bay magnolia in Europe. It makes large, leathery, deep green and glossy leaves with thin rusty brown indumentum on the undersides. Once established it can grow half a meter or more per year. Still, this evergreen beauty is more likely valued for its large, 20-24 cm across, creamy white, very fragrant flower that appear in profusion from June until August or September.

Pruning is not commonly recommended and this variety is supposed to let grow. Still, for any reason you might have, shorten last year’s long shoots by a third or maximum a half if the tip of the branch does not have a flower bud (fat and short as opposed to a leaf bud that is slim and long). Do so after all frost in early spring. If the branch has a flower bud, cut it after the flower has faded. We strongly recommend regular fertilizing. To save time and worry here is a way to feed your magnolia only once a year: take a quality water-soluble fertilizer (e.g. Kristalon Gold) and use 10 times as much as advised in the instructions for 10 liters of water. Mix it well and slowly pour this shot in the arm onto the roots making sure the plant drinks it all and you will not let it drain off. It will darken the foliage colour in 7-10 days and make new leaves and shoots within maximum 3 weeks from application.

Find it a location with plenty of direct sunlight in summer for at least 6 hours a day, protected from cutting winds. It needs preferably acid soil, very rich in humus, moist but permeable. Evergreen magnolias like clay in lower part of the soil which is an excellent source of nutrients. However, if your soil is only clay, plant it about one third above the soil level and cover the sides with quality soil mixed with peat and substrate or compost. Never make a hill around the root ball, the sides must slant gradually since the most important roots are mainly horizontal. Do not stomp, walk or play on its roots. It does not take root disturbance. Keep it heavily mulched all year round. Purpan? magnolia is supposed to take winters of zone 6 (with minimum temperature down to about -23°C) and has not been tested in lower zones yet. In winter provide extra watering in frost-free periods.

Last update 24-02-2014