Magnolias often grow as a shrub
From a botanical point of view, the magnolia is actually not a tree, but a large shrub. These trees do not form single, bare trunks near the ground. Instead, there are several stems that branch out just above the surface and develop leaves and flowers. Basically, however, almost every magnolia bush can be raised to a high trunk or, as a refinement, shaped into a tree from the start. But whether it is a bush or a tree: The same instructions regarding planting and care apply to both growth forms of the magnolia.
also read
- From the small shrub to the imposing tree - the height of different magnolias varies
- Magnolia: Small varieties for the balcony and garden
- Magnolias often reach a considerable height
Magnolia varieties with bushy growth
Many types of magnolia, in particular the purple magnolia, the star magnolia and the summer magnolia, naturally have a rather broad, bush-like growth. Other species, especially the Yulan magnolia and the tulip magnolia, grow more like trees and can also get quite tall. However, even magnolia trees are usually very wide and accordingly need space. In the following table we have put together some particularly beautiful magnolia varieties for cultivation as a shrub.
| variety | Latin name | Variety denomination | height | Habit | Flower color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple magnolia | Magnolia liliiflora | Nigra | up to approx. 5 meters | wide | dark purple |
| Purple magnolia | Magnolia liliiflora | Susan | up to approx. 5 meters | wide | purple |
| Summer magnolia | Magnolia Sieboldii | Siebold's magnolia | up to approx. 4 meters | overhanging | White |
| Star magnolia | Magnolia loebneri | Leonard Messel | up to approx. 5 meters | upright | pink |
| Star magnolia | Magnolia loebneri | Merrill | up to approx. 7 meters | wide | White |
| Star magnolia | Magnolia stellata | Royal Star | up to approx. 3.5 meters | wide | White |
Tips & Tricks
If you only have a small garden or want to cultivate the magnolia in a tub, it is better to use dwarf magnolias. These are often only about one to one and a half meters high (and about the same wide), but are in no way inferior to their big sisters in terms of beauty.
