Port Wine Magnolia (Magnolia figo, formerly Michelia figo) is a slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree grown for its wonderfully fragrant flowers and neat, glossy foliage. Although the creamy flowers, flushed with the colour of port wine, are small and often hidden amongst the leaves, their rich perfume makes this one of the most rewarding shrubs for gardens, especially when planted near pathways, patios and outdoor living areas.

Easy to grow and requiring very little maintenance once established, Port Wine Magnolia is equally at home as an informal hedge, a feature shrub, a screening plant or even in large pots and containers.

Fragrance

If you are looking for spectacular flowers, this probably isn’t the plant for you. The flowers are fairly small and quite insignificant in appearance, but the fragrance more than makes up for it. On warm spring evenings the perfume is simply outstanding.

The fragrance of the flowers has been described for many years as smelling like Port Wine, so rich, sweet, and highly aromatic.. So think Juicy Fruit, Port wine Jelly or similar. The fragrance is usually strongest in the late afternoon after the sun has does its work of warming the plant up.

Growth Rate

One thing to remember is that Port Wine Magnolia is naturally slow growing. It may take five to seven years to reach around 3 metres in height depending on your climate, soil and growing conditions. While this means advanced plants are often expensive, it also makes them an excellent long-term choice as they rarely outgrow their position.

Growing Conditions

Port Wine Magnolia grows best in a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. It prefers a slightly acidic soil, although it will adapt to most garden soils that have been improved with compost and organic matter.

Choose a position in full sun to part shade. In warmer parts of Australia, some protection from hot afternoon sun will help keep the foliage looking fresh through summer. Morning sun with light afternoon shade is ideal.

Once established, plants are reasonably frost tolerant, although young plants appreciate some protection in colder districts.

How To Grow

Soil

A humus rich moist but well drained soil in full sun to part shade is best. A slightly acidic soil is best (pH 6) is best.

Before planting dig in some well aged cow manure and compost and water your new plant in with some liquid seaweed solution.

Position Sun/Light requirements

These trees do require some protection from the hot afternoon sun especially in warmer climates. So light afternoon shade is best. Try of a position with good morning sun and light afternoon shade.

Once establish the Port Wine Magnolia is regarded as frost tolerant .

Fertiliser and Mulch

Fertilize and mulch in spring with a good slow release fertilizer to improve growth rate.

A top up every 2 weeks in spring with a watering of a liquid seaweed as well will help

A good layer of mulch around the plant out to the drip line renewed each spring will help retain moisture through summer.

The flowers are small and tend to stay as buds rather than open fully, a little sulphate of potash can help encourage flowering.

Root System

The root system is fairly shallow and not regarded as invasive, excellent in paved areas.

Planting

Before planting, improve the soil by digging through plenty of compost together with well-aged cow manure.

Plant at the same depth as the nursery container, water in thoroughly and apply a liquid seaweed solution to encourage strong root development.

Apply a generous layer of mulch around the plant, keeping it clear of the trunk, to help retain moisture and keep the root system cool through summer.

Hedge Spacing

Port Wine Magnolia makes an excellent evergreen hedge.

For a dense hedge, space plants around 30–50cm apart depending on the size of the plants being purchased.

Although slower growing than many hedging plants, they form a neat, dense screen that requires very little maintenance.

One of the advantages of using Port Wine Magnolia as a hedge is that the flowers are produced on older wood, so light pruning after flowering won’t reduce the following season’s display.

Ongoing Care

Once established, Port Wine Magnolia is an easy-care shrub.

Water regularly during the first two summers while the root system develops. Mature plants are fairly drought tolerant but perform best with occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods.

Feed in spring with a quality slow-release fertiliser and renew the mulch each year.

A monthly application of liquid seaweed during spring and early summer can also improve growth, particularly in poorer soils.

Although the flowers often remain partly enclosed by the petals, this is perfectly normal. If flowering is disappointing, an application of sulphate of potash in spring may encourage improved flowering.

Pruning

One of the attractions of Port Wine Magnolia is its naturally dense and tidy habit.

Very little pruning is required unless you wish to maintain a particular size or shape.

The best time to prune is immediately after flowering.

Regular tip pruning encourages a bushier plant and helps maintain a dense hedge.

Unlike many flowering shrubs, light pruning after flowering will not significantly reduce the next season’s flowers because blooms develop on mature wood.

Growing in Pots

Port Wine Magnolia performs surprisingly well in large pots or containers.

Use a premium quality potting mix, choose a container with good drainage and keep the soil evenly moist through the warmer months.

Container-grown plants benefit from regular feeding and should be positioned where the afternoon sun will not overheat the root system.

Propagation

Propagation is usually from semi-hardwood cuttings taken during late spring or summer.

Cuttings strike best when taken from healthy new growth and treated with a rooting hormone before being placed into a free-draining propagation mix.

Although propagation from cuttings is reliable, young plants are naturally slow growing and require patience.

Common Problems

Port Wine Magnolia is generally trouble free, however a few issues can occur.

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing foliage is often caused by poor drainage, overwatering or mineral deficiencies.

Chelated iron may help where alkaline soils are causing iron deficiency.

Poor Flowering

A lack of flowers may be caused by insufficient sunlight, nutrient deficiencies or heavy pruning at the wrong time.

Applying sulphate of potash in spring can encourage better flowering.

In some gardens, possums are responsible for eating flower buds before they open.

Hot Summers

In hotter climates such as Perth and Adelaide, plants appreciate afternoon shade together with deep watering and a thick layer of mulch during summer.

Growing in Sydney

Port Wine Magnolia grows well throughout much of Sydney but prefers richer soils to the sandy coastal gardens common in some suburbs. Improving the soil with compost before planting will greatly improve growth.

Root System

Port Wine Magnolia has a relatively shallow, non-invasive root system.

This makes it suitable for planting near paved areas, courtyards and smaller gardens where aggressive roots could become a problem.

Best Varieties

The most commonly grown species is Magnolia figo (formerly Michelia figo).

A popular selection is ‘Coco’, which has larger leaves, a denser growth habit and larger, highly fragrant flowers.

Standard forms are also available and make attractive feature plants for formal gardens and courtyards.

Top Tips

• Best in a frost free position
• A well drained soil is essential
• Add some compost and aged manure as a top dressing each year.
• Pruning

The best time to prune is immediately after flowering in early summer.

The flowers develop on old growth and pruning will actually encourage more flowers.

Landscaping Uses

Port Wine Magnolia has a number of uses in the garden

• They make excellent hedges, easy to prune and they do form a good dense screen. They also flower on old wood, which means pruning will not interrupt flowering.
• They make a great filler in the garden border, with good glossy foliage and being easy care they are very low maintenance.
• Fragrance is excellent when in flower, so a good addition near pathways and outdoor living areas. Although they are small and hidden in the foliage,  they do have a wonderful scent, particularly on warm evenings that make this such a great plant.
• The root system is not regarded as invasive, so this is plant that can be grown in small areas.

These are a slow growing plant, and this is actually an advantage to most gardeners as it makes a good long term solution.

They will not outgrow its position, rarely getting to more than 3 metres in height. However if you are looking for a ‘quick growing hedge’ then this may not be the plant for you.

Summary

Port Wine Magnolia is one of those plants that quietly earns its place in the garden. It may not have large showy flowers or rapid growth, but its glossy evergreen foliage, compact habit and beautifully scented spring flowers make it an outstanding choice for hedging, screening or as a specimen shrub.

Plant it where its fragrance can be appreciated, give it a rich, well-drained soil and a little patience, and it will reward you with years of reliable performance and very little maintenance.

Summary

• Species – Michelia figo (syn Magnolia figo)
• Cultivar –
• Common Name – Port Wine Magnolia
• Growth Habit – Upright bushy
• Growth Rate – Slow, faster in warmer humid climates.
• Soil – Humus rich, moist, well drained.
• Sun – Full sun to light shade. Afternoon shade in very hot positions.
• Water – Water well though first summers.
• Landscaping Uses – Fragrant border shrub. Low hedge as well as potted specimen plant, Fragrant Hedge, or as a perfumed plant in the border..
• Pruning – Generally not required. Can be pruned to shape if needed after flowering.
• Propagation – Cuttings
• Container growing – Excellent for containers
• Fertilizer – Use a slow release general purpose fertilizer.

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Where To Buy

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