Magnolia 'RICKI' magnolia

Ricki is another girl magnolia, similar to Nigra variety. Its flowers are pink to light purple red, goblet shaped with narrowly ovate petals. They come out in late April for 2-3 weeks and are very fragrant. Girl magnolias have attractive bright green foliage that may gain coppery red hues in summer. It does not require pruning at all. As it has flower buds at the ends of last-year’s branches should you need to cut something off do it immediately after flowering in late spring.

Deciduous magnolias are quite easy plants. All they need is light, well-drained, acid 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 to 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 onwards. You could damage the very important top roots that absorb maximum moisture and nutrients from the soil. Also avoid planting magnolia too deep. Thus you could be digging its grave. It is fully hardy to -27° or 29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update: 15-02-2012