How to Grow Yulan Magnolia - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Yulan magnolia is a beautiful plant that is native to Eastern Asia. It has large, fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring. The flowers are white with a yellow center and have a sweet, lemony scent.

How to Grow Yulan Magnolia - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

Yulan Magnolia
Magnolia liliiflora
Magnolia stellata
Magnolia denudata
Magnolia kobus

Good to Know

Yulan magnolia is a deciduous tree native to China.
It is also known as the lily tree or the nutmeg tree.
The tree can grow to a height of 1520 m (4966 ft).
The leaves are alternate, simple, oblong-elliptic to obovate, 1020 cm (99 in) long and 58 cm (01 in) wide, with a conspicuously petiolate base.
The flowers are white, 68 cm (41 in) in diameter, with 69 tepals and numerous stamens.
The flowers are borne in clusters of 35 in the leaf axils.
The fruit is a dark brown, globose, woody capsule, 34 cm (26 in) in diameter, containing numerous small, black seeds.
Yulan magnolia is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree in China and elsewhere in Asia.
It is also naturalized in the southeastern United States, where it is commonly known as the bull bay.
The tree is also grown as a bonsai.

Growing Steps

For yulan magnolia, first step is to choose the right position. It prefers full sun to light shade, so choose an area of your garden that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.
The second step is to prepare the soil. Yulan magnolia grows best in well-drained, fertile soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some organic matter such as compost or peat moss.
Once the soil is prepared, you can plant your yulan magnolia. The best time to plant is in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed.
When planting, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
Set the tree in the hole and backfill with soil, being careful not to bury the trunk.
Once planted, water your yulan magnolia deeply.
For the first year or two, water regularly during dry weather. Once established, yulan magnolia is quite drought tolerant.
Fertilize your yulan magnolia in early spring with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-
Prune your yulan magnolia as needed to maintain its shape.
Enjoy the beautiful flowers that appear in late spring!

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, yulan magnolia prefer humus-rich and well-drained soils, and can tolerate loamy or clay soils as long as they are not allowed to dry out. They also prefer slightly acidic to neutral soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

Light condition

Just like other magnolias, the yulan magnolia requires full sun to partial shade in order to thrive. It is best to plant this tree in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. If the tree does not receive enough sun, it will not bloom as profusely.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the yulan magnolia is a cool to cold climate. This means that the plant does best in areas where the temperature is below freezing for at least a part of the year. In extremely warm weather, the yulan magnolia can become stressed and may even die.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40-60%. If the humidity drops below 30%, the leaves will start to turn brown and crisp. If the humidity rises above 80%, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Fertilizing

For the fertilizer, this type of plant doesn't need a lot. Once a month should be just fine. For the roots, they should be kept moist but not wet. If the roots are too wet, then the plant will start to rot. If the roots are too dry, then the plant will start to wilt.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important aspect of yulan magnolia care. Pruning helps to maintain the shape of the plant, as well as to remove any dead or diseased branches. It is best to prune in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When pruning, be sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of yulan magnolia is best achieved through rooting of stem cuttings taken from the parent plant. Cuttings should be taken from young, vigorous shoots that are approximately 6 to 8 inches in length. Cuttings should be taken from the last 6 to 8 inches of the shoot, and the bottom 2 to 3 inches of each cutting should be removed. Cuttings should be placed in a propagation tray or pot filled with a well-drained, sterile rooting medium. Once placed in the rooting medium, the cuttings should be lightly misted with water and covered with a clear plastic dome or bag to maintain high humidity levels. Rooting will occur in 4 to 6 weeks, at which time the plastic cover can be removed.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate about 0.5 to 1 meter per year. There are some yulan magnolia trees that can grow very fast, especially when they are young. They can even grow 2 to 3 meters in a year. The slowest growth rate is usually in the late summer and early fall.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are that the leaves may turn yellow and fall off, the flower buds may not open, or the flowers may be small and insignificant. These problems are usually caused by too much or too little water, poor drainage, or a lack of nutrients.

Tips on Growing

If you are growing yulan magnolia from seed, start by soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours.
Plant the seeds in moist, well-draining soil and water regularly.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
When the seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots.
Place the pots in a sunny location.
Water the plants regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
Fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Prune the plants as needed to shape them and encourage new growth.
Protect the plants from harsh winds and cold temperatures.
Enjoy the beautiful flowers that yulan magnolia plants produce!