Magnolia kobus Japanese magnolia

Japanese magnolia belongs among the tallest, fastest growing, and the hardiest magnolias of the planet. It is native to Japan (and Korea) where it was named after Japanese word kobushi which means fist and relates to the shape of opening flower buds. Flowers are about 10 cm across, goblet- to saucer-shaped, snow-white, mildly fragrant, and come out early in the season on bare branches. They may be prone to frost damage but thanks to their abundance the tree usually has more flower buds to open should the first phase be burnt.

Deciduous leaves are medium green, narrowly obovate, 15-20 cm long, and often puckered. Japanese magnolia grows fast into a tall shrub or a mid-sized, well-branched tree with a smooth, grey trunk of impressive profile. In early autumn mature pink, cone-shaped seedpods hiding glossy, orange-red seeds that look like smarties.

Magnolias are not supposed to be pruned. You can prune old shrubs if ill, or trim them to shape or to reduce size, or make an elementary cut to young plants of unsightly or unhealthy appearance. Do this as soon as possible after flowering to secure setting of flower buds for the following year. Be aware that each magnolia can respond differently to pruning.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acidic soil with equal moisture throughout the year. Once established they can do with occasional drought but will not look as nice as the ones with regular watering. Just pay attention to how you plant your magnolia. First, find it a spot where it will live forever and ever. It does not like transplanting. And as it makes shallow roots reaching well over its spread, stay away from disturbing the roots by digging or messing about around it. Just cover the soil with bark mulch and do not plant anything else near it after say the second year after planting onwards. You could damage the important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus, you could be digging it a grave. Hardy to about -29 °C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 16-12-2020