Magnolia Fairy Lime

Michelia 'Fairy Lime' is a bush with an exotic appearance. It produces numerous cream-yellow scented flowers in spring, with a touch of pink at the tip. It bears glossy and evergreen leaves. Vigorous but a little sensitive to cold (hardy to -8°C (17.6°F)), it prefers mild climates and a location in partial shade or light sun, in moist and acidic soil. It can also find its place on a patio to create an exotic and unique scene.

'Fairy Lime' belongs to the Michelia genus, which botanists have now reintegrated into Magnolias. You can therefore also find this plant under the name Magnolia 'Fairy Lime'. All of them belong to the ancient Magnoliaceae family, which includes fossil plants dating back 90 million years.

This beautiful variety comes from a New Zealand hybridisation. With an exotic appearance, it has tough and glossy evergreen foliage, which is dark green on the upper side and slightly lighter on the underside. Between April and May, the bush produces elongated brownish-fawn flower buds, which eventually open into cream-yellow flowers about 4 to 6cm (2in) in diameter, with reddish stamens. The tip of each waxy petal is delicately marked with a pink shadow. These flowers resemble miniature Magnolia grandiflora flowers. As with many Michelia species, the flowering is fragrant. This dense bush can reach a height of about 2.5m (8ft) and a width of 1.5 to 2m (5 to 7ft) after 10 years.

Although robust and fairly vigorous, 'Fairy Lime' has medium hardiness. It is best not to expose it to temperatures below -8°C (17.6°F). Therefore, provide a location in bright partial shade, well sheltered from east and north winds, which could quickly damage its beautiful foliage and compromise its flowering. Intense sunlight can also scorch its leaves. It appreciates moist, preferably acidic, and rich soil that does not dry out in summer. In limestone soil, the plant develops poorly and its leaves turn yellow.

Its uniqueness allows it to be used as a standalone specimen, highlighted in an exotic setting with neighbours such as Fatsia japonica, Fuchsia regia, and perennials like acanthus, Hosta 'Jurassic Park', as well as ferns such as Athyrium otophorum var. okanum or Woodwardia. Its dense habit also allows it to be used as a hedge, as well as in a large pot. Its growth will then be more limited, and care must be taken to prevent the substrate from drying out.