Magnolia Ricki

A late-flowering hybrid magnolia, though not for the coldest areas, Magnolia Ricki is a slow-growing, compact, rounded, deciduous shrub or small tree. The oval, mid-green leaves turn yellow to coppery-bronze in autumn, giving a second season of interest. The fragrant, cup-shaped, deep carmine flowers, paler inside and 5/12cm across, start to appear on the bare branches in April, and last well into May. Flowers may also appear sporadically in summer. With its dense, shrubby habit, Magnolia Ricki looks particularly attractive planted in a lawn.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Well drained, humus-rich, acid to neutral soil
Position: Best in full sun
Season of interest: Mid- to late spring in particular
Hardiness: Fairly hardy
Height: 11 (3.5m) Spread: 11 (3.5m) in 20 years