Magnolia question

[Earthbabe]

I have a gap in my small front garden where my phormium recently passed away. We have two tom thumb pittosporums (sp?) at the back by the bay window and two lavandula dentata at the front by the railing. I am not sure what to put in the middle. This patch is south facing and we get a lot of light in through the window so I don't want it blocked. Also I don't want a huge tree that close to the house.

Is it possible to get a "dwarf" magnolia? is it possible to keep one fairly small and still get a good display? I think they are quite stunning.

[shirlthegirl43]

Can't actually answer your query but having seen (but sadly missed the flowering of) magnolias in Atlanta, Georgia I would be inclined to say that the ones grown in this country are dwarf versions. the one in our garden over there must have been at least 30 foot high and there was a bigger one in the woods behind the house.

[Palustris]

Magnolia stellata is probably the best one for that kind of situation.

[Snadger]

Just been to Wilko's where they had a dwarf Magnolia for sale. It grows to six foot max!
Made a mental note of variety but my mental functions aren't what they used to be and now I've forgotten it!

What were we talking about again?

[SueA]

Hi Earthbabe, I have a magnolia called 'Susan' (for obvious reasons!) which has deep pink flowers & is said to not grow very tall & is suitable for containers, mine's in a large pot & is O.K.

[smallblueplanet]

Sue we've got a magnolia Stella (it was a Gardeners World freebie), its only about 18" tall atm. Its in a pot, do you think it will be happy there or should it be planted out?

[SueA]

Hi Manda, think it depends on how big your pot is. As the plant is still quite small & young it should be O.K. in a pot about 12-18ins across I would think. You might need to plant it out in a year or 2 though but they are fairly slow growing & only get to about 10-15 ft. I think after about 8-10 years. I think they like acid conditions & sun (well ours does!) but not a position where the sun catches them first thing in the morning & can scorch the blooms if there's a late frost.

[smallblueplanet]

....but not a position where the sun catches them first thing in the morning & can scorch the blooms if there's a late frost.

That was the bit thats problematic, not sure where to plant it to make the best of it - will leave it in the (biggish) pot for a while and see how it goes and consider.