Magnolia tripetala

Umbrella magnolia is a unique plant of its species. It is quite unusual though easy to grow. Its main feature are exotic-looking, large leaves that can grow 30-45 cm long. Their colour is mid-green flashed with bronze from spring to early summer. They are soft and slightly hairy beneath, crowded at the branch tip making an umbrella appearance.

Flowers are creamy-white and come out along with the leaves. They are large and smell much better from a distance rather than up close. They are followed by bright pink, cone-shaped fruit at the end of summer until the autumn.

This is supposed to be a fast-growing small tree, however, we experienced a moderate or even slow growth in common garden soil conditions. It is usually multi-stemmed with erect upright branches. The canopy looks like an umbrella only thanks to the large leaves. It has no resemblance to umbrella in winter. Old wood and even a few years old branches dislikes cutting. They are concave and prone to fungi diseases when filled with water.

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 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 after planting 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 USDA zone 5. Just make sure it is not in a too exposed windy area. We still recommend mulching it well to keep it moist in any season.

Last update 31-01-2008.