Practical
Plants

Magnolia campbellii

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Magnolia genus in the family Magnoliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
20 m
Spread
8 m
Fertility
Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Beetles

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - very soft. Used in construction and for making furniture[3][11].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas to S.W. China.
Habitat
Temperate rain forests between 2400 - 3000 metres in the Himalayas[2][12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame[8]. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it can take 18 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Layering in early spring[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Best grown in a warm position in a moderately rich free soil of an open texture[1]. Prefers a deep rich moist acid soil[9]. Succeeds in an acid or neutral humus-rich soil in sun or part shade[6]. Tolerates an alkaline soil if it is deep and rich in humus[7]. Plants dislike dry winds[9]. The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required[8]. Grows well in a sunny position in a woodland garden[4]. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution[8]. Plants prefer moist summers[9]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c[6], but the flower buds are often killed back by late frosts[6]. Another report says that the buds are hardy when tightly closed, but are liable to frost damage once they start to open[9]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Trees take at least 20 years from seed before they flower[4]. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩

  4. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  11. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  12. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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