The slow-growing magnolia - depending on the variety - usually grows both in width and height and develops a dense, leafy crown. Nevertheless, the exotic large shrubs are only partially suitable for planting as hedges.
Can you plant a magnolia as a hedge?
Are magnolias suitable as a hedge? The exotic large shrubs can be planted as hedges if you choose small-growing varieties that reach a maximum height of three meters. Note that magnolias should not be pruned and require adequate space to grow.
Choose small-growing varieties for hedge planting
Not every type of magnolia can be planted as a hedge shrub, as some varieties reach very considerable heights with age. Instead, choose a magnolia with a maximum height of three meters; these also grow more like a bush and less like a tree. You should also note that magnolias should not be pruned. The plants tolerate such intervention poorly. For this reason, a magnolia hedge cannot be trimmed regularly, but should be allowed to grow more or less freely. Of course, you need a lot of space for this, because there can be no other plantings or any kind of buildings in the immediate vicinity of the magnolias. The trees need about as much space in width as they do in height – if anything, even more.
Magnolia “Fairy” specially bred for hedge planting
The “Fairy” hybrid has been available in specialist retailers in two colors for several years. This fragrant magnolia was bred specifically for hedge planting, although its claimed hardiness for zones 7b-11 (i.e. down to minus 15°C) can be questioned. Since the parent plants of these new varieties come from subtropical or tropical regions of Southeast Asia, “Fairy” should not be planted in areas with cold winters.
How to plant a magnolia hedge
The same rules apply to planting a magnolia hedge as to planting a solitary plant: The magnolias need a sunny, protected location and humus-rich, slightly acidic soil. The individual young magnolias should be planted about one meter apart so that they can develop into a dense hedge but also have enough space between them. This also applies to other plants, for example below the hedge. Magnolias do not like to be in company with other water-drawn plants. Lawns and similar underplanting are particularly problematic, as the magnolia roots are located close to the surface of the earth.
Tips & Tricks
Young magnolias in particular should be protected from frost over the winter, this particularly applies to magnolias in hedge plantings. The root area in particular must be protected from cold temperatures using a thick layer of bark mulch (€14.00 on Amazon) and brushwood.
