Viewed from a distance, a blooming magnolia tree looks like a fragrant ball of flowers. The older the slow-growing tree gets, the more luxuriant its flowers develop. In order for the magnolia to bloom, it must be in the right soil - otherwise the desired flowers will not appear.
Which soil is best for magnolias?
A humic, slightly acidic soil is best suited for magnolias. A mixture of garden soil and rhododendron soil, also known as ericaceous soil, is optimal. Bark mulch and suitable ground cover can protect the root area and prevent it from drying out.
Enrich planting soil with rhododendron soil
Magnolias do not like sandy, loose soil or very clayey soil. Instead, they need relatively heavy, but very humus-rich and slightly acidic soil. It would be optimal to plant both garden and potted magnolias in a mixture of humus-rich, slightly moist garden soil and acidic rhododendron soil. Some gardeners also use bark humus instead of rhododendron soil, which is also known as bog soil, but not all magnolias tolerate this. Instead, you should cover the root area of planted magnolia trees with bark mulch and/or brushwood or a suitable ground cover to prevent them from drying out.
Tips & Tricks
Magnolias need a lot of space, which is why you should dig the planting hole as generously as possible. It should fit all the roots comfortably without having to squeeze them.
