Below is a list of magnolia species and cultivars which currently (2016) [1] hold the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Magnolias are shrubs or trees which put on a showy display of tulip-like flowers, often scented, in early to late spring. Many are slow-growing and may take several years to start flowering. They are suitable for cultivation in parks or gardens in temperate regions. [2] M. stellata is suitable for smaller gardens. All are deciduous except for M. grandiflora, which is evergreen. The AGM citation includes a hardiness rating: [3] all of the plants listed here are rated H6 (hardy down to -20 °C to -15 °C) or H5 (hardy down to -15 °C to -10 °C). This is indicated in the column marked H. Nevertheless, magnolias prefer a sheltered spot, and flower buds may be damaged by late frosts. The maximum size (height and spread) is shown in metres.
Name | AGM | H | Colour | Scent | Max size h×w | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M. 'Athene' [4] | 2012 | H5 | white/pink | yes | 8 × 8 | |
M. ' Caerhays Belle' [5] | 2012 | H5 | pink | no | 12+ × 8+ |
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M. 'Caerhays Surprise' [6] | 2012 | H5 | pink | no | 8 × 8 | |
M. campbellii 'Darjeeling' | 2012 | H4 | deep pink/wine | no | 10 × 4 |
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M. 'Daphne' [7] | 2012 | H6 | pale yellow | no | 8 × 8 | |
M. David Clulow' [8] | 2012 | H5 | white/pale pink | no | 8 × 8 | |
M. 'Daybreak' | 2012 | H6 | pink/red | yes | 10 × 3 |
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M. denudata [9] (yulan) | 1993 | H6 | white | yes | 12 × 12 |
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M. 'Elizabeth' [10] | 1993 | H6 | pale yellow | yes | 12 × 8 |
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M. 'Galaxy' [11] | 1993 | H6 | rose-pink | no | 12 × 8 |
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M. 'George Henry Kern' [12] | 2012 | H6 | pale pink/purple | no | 4 × 2.5 | |
M. 'Gold Star' [13] | 2012 | H6 | creamy yellow | no | 8 × 4 | |
M. grandiflora 'Kay Parris' [14] | 2012 | H5 | creamy white | yes | 8 × 4 | |
M. grandiflora 'Victoria' | 2002 | H5 | white | yes | 10 × 8 | |
M. 'Heaven Scent' [15] | 1993 | H6 | rose pink | yes | 12 × 12 | |
M. liliiflora 'Nigra' [16] | 1993 | H6 | red/purple | no | 4 × 2.5 |
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M. × loebneri 'Donna' [17] | 2012 | H6 | white | yes | 8 × 8 | |
M. × loebneri 'Leonard Messel' [18] | 1993 | H6 | lilac/pale pink | yes | 8 × 8 |
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M. × loebneri 'Mag's Pirouette' | 2012 | H6 | white | yes | 4 × 3 | |
M. × loebneri 'Merrill' [19] | 1993 | H6 | white | no | 8 × 8 |
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M. × loebneri 'Wildcat' | 2012 | H6 | white | no | 4 × 3 | |
M. 'Lois' [20] | 2012 | H6 | primrose yellow | yes | 12 × 8 |
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M. 'Milky Way' [21] | 2002 | H5 | white/pale pink | no | 8 × 4 | |
M. 'Pegasus' | 2012 | H6 | white/purple | no | 6 × 6 | |
M. salicifolia 'Wada's Memory' [22] | 1993 | H6 | white | yes | 12 × 8 |
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M. 'Sayonara' [23] | 1993 | H5 | white/purple | no | 8 × 4 | |
M. sieboldii 'Colossus' [24] | 2012 | H6 | white/red | yes | 8 × 8+ |
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M. × soulangeana 'Brozzonii' [25] | 1993 | H5 | white/purple | no | 8 × 8 | |
M. × soulangeana 'Pickard's Schmetterling' | 2012 | H5 | white/purple | no | 8+ × 8 | |
M. 'Spectrum' [26] | 2012 | H6 | pale pink/purple | no | 8 × 8 | |
M. sprengeri var. diva 'Burncoose' [27] | 2012 | H6 | purple/white | no | 12 × 8 | |
M. sprengeri var. diva 'Copeland Court' [28] | 2012 | H6 | bright pink | no | 8 × 8 | |
M. sprengeri var. diva 'Eric Savill' [29] | 2012 | H6 | bright pink/pale pink | no | 12 × 8 | |
M. 'Star Wars' [30] | 2002 | H5 | rose pink, double | yes | 8 × 4 |
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M. stellata 'Centennial' [31] | 2012 | H6 | white/pink | yes | 2.5 × 4 | |
M. stellata 'Jane Platt' [32] | 2012 | H6 | pale pink | yes | 2.5 × 4 | |
M. stellata 'Royal Star' [33] | 2012 | H6 | white | yes | 4 × 4 |
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M. 'Susan' [34] | 1993 | H6 | purple/pink | yes | 4 × 4 |
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M. 'Sweetheart' | 2012 | H5 | pink | yes | 6 × 4 | |
M. wilsonii [35] | 1993 | H6 | white/crimson | yes | 8 × 8 |
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M. 'Yellow Lantern' [36] | 2012 | H6 | pale yellow | no | 5 × 5 |
Name | Type | Flower colour | Dimensions h × w |
---|---|---|---|
M. grandiflora 'Exmouth' [37] | tree f | double white | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) × 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
'Lennei' [38] | shrub f | purple/white | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) × 2.5–4 m (8–13 ft) |
M. obovata [39] | tree | cream | 12–15 m (39–49 ft) × 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
'Rustica Rubra' [40] | shrub f | rose-pink | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) × 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
M. salicifolia [41] | tree | white, fragrant | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) × 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
M. stellata [42] | shrub | white | 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft) × 2.5–4 m (8–13 ft) |
M. stellata 'Water Lily' [43] | shrub | white | 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft) × 2.5–4 m (8–13 ft) |