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Garden Answers figures out if there a small magnolia for your garden?

When you see magnificent pink magnolias in gardens it is easy to want one for yourself. The most common and popular magnolia is M. x soulangeana and its pink and white tulip-like flowers are a common sight throughout the suburban gardens across the country. It is popular because it is easy to grow, tolerates a wide range of soils although, like most magnolias, it prefers an acid or neutral soil, and it is not too big.

However, size is relative, and although some magnolias can become huge trees, this one will still reach 8m (25ft) high and as much across. So it is not the ideal plant for planting in the middle of a small lawn or under a kitchen window.

It is often said that magnolias cannot be pruned. This is not strictly true but there are problems. If you have a large magnolia that you need to make smaller, if you go over it and cut away branches the plant responds by producing long, upright shoots where the branches were cut. These look ugly and they will not flower for several years. The best way to deal with a large magnolia is to remove some of the lower branches completely so you can see under and through the tree.

If space is limited the best choice is Magnolia stellata. This has smaller flowers than M. x soulangeana and the blooms have narrow petals that open to a flat, star-shaped bloom. It grows slowly and has a very bushy habit so that, even after 20 years, it will not be more than 2m (6ft) high. The flowers are usually white and it has the advantage that buds open over a prolonged period so that, if there is a hard frost that kills all the open blooms, there are more to continue the display a week later. Typically, the flowers are white and fragrant and because the flowers are at nose level you are more likely to notice this.

‘Royal Star’ is an improved form with large flowers and ‘Rosea’ has blooms that are pink in bud but gradually fade to white as they open. Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ is slightly larger but still compact and has masses of starry flowers, in rich pink, in spring.

Garden Answers is your monthly fix of practical garden inspiration, whether you want flowers, fruit or veg. Full of timely tips, friendly advice and inspiring gardens, it is hands on help for gardeners of all ages and abilities.

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