Magnolias are fascinating trees that become more beautiful and interesting with age. They can live for hundreds of years and reach considerable heights.
How do you care for a magnolia as a standard tree?
To train a magnolia as a standard tree, choose a sunny, protected location and support the vertically growing main shoot. Remove side shoots consistently and ensure there is enough space, nutrient-rich, slightly acidic soil and sufficient water supply without competing plants.
Magnolias are actually large shrubs
Botanically speaking, magnolias are not actually trees, but rather large shrubs - which can easily reach heights of between six and ten meters, depending on the variety. The trees often grow in width just as much as they grow in height - so they need a lot of space in the garden. Small magnolias such as the usually white-flowering star magnolia (Magnolia stellata), which can still grow up to three meters high, are suitable for small gardens. However, a magnolia can also be trained as a standard tree, whereby you must consistently develop a vertically growing main shoot as a trunk and immediately eradicate side shoots. Standard stems are also available from specialist retailers, although they are usually refined versions. However, these magnolias, also known as trunk bushes, are not exactly cheap.
Planting conditions for standard magnolias
The same planting and care conditions apply to a standard magnolia tree as to naturally growing magnolias. Depending on the variety, you also have to plan enough space for the standard tree and choose the location accordingly. As a rule of thumb, the trees need about half as much space in width as they are tall. However, some magnolias have a habit of growing more in width than in height. The soil should be rich in nutrients and humus and slightly acidic. Magnolias do not like alkaline (i.e. sandy) or overly heavy, loamy soil. In both cases it is important to either find an alternative or to improve the soil. The plants like a sunny and protected location where they can get sun for at least four hours a day.
Tips & Tricks
Magnolias are best displayed as solitary plants, i.e. H. Do not plant any other trees in the vicinity of the tree. Underplanting is also problematic, especially species that draw heavily on water, such as lawns. This deprives the magnolia of the moisture it needs.