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Magnolia grandiflora Mainstreet

Magnolia grandiflora Mainstreet
Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay

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An evergreen Magnolia that forms a superb small tree with a pyramidal habit. The shiny dark green foliage on the top is rusty brown underneath. This dark vegetation forms a perfect setting for the white summer flowering. The large cup-shaped flowers exude a pleasant fragrance in the garden throughout the summer. Ideal for small gardens, this Magnolia proves to be quite cold-resistant. It thrives in moist soil, rich in humus and slightly acidic, in full sun or under light shade in warm climates.
Flower size
18 cm
Height at maturity
12 m
Spread at maturity
4.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to April, October to November
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Flowering time July to October
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Description

The Magnolia grandiflora 'Mainstreet' is a cultivar appreciated for its narrow and pyramidal habit, suitable for small gardens or urban gardens. This evergreen tree also offers large fragrant white flowers, appearing from summer to autumn, as well as beautiful dark green glossy foliage with a reddish-brown underside. Resistant to cold down to -18°C, this beautiful magnolia makes a strong impression as a single specimen or in a row along a long driveway.

The Magnolia grandiflora belongs to the Magnoliaceae family. Native to the southeastern United States, the botanical species is naturally found in humid coastal forests. The 'Mainstreet' cultivar was selected for its particularly narrow and compact habit. This magnolia has a very narrow pyramidal habit, almost fastigiate, which tends to slightly round with age. It reaches about 12 to 15 meters in height and 4 to 5 meters in width. Its growth is relatively fast.

Its evergreen foliage consists of large ovate leaves, measuring between 12 and 20 cm long. They are dark green and glossy on the top, while the underside is reddish-brown, covered with a soft fuzz. The flowers, wide and open cup-shaped, measure between 15 and 20 cm in diameter. They are creamy white and diffuse a pleasant lemony fragrance. Flowering occurs from early summer to autumn, from June-July to October. This magnolia also produces upright cone-shaped fruits, containing red seeds, which appear after flowering. The trunk, straight and sturdy, is covered with smooth gray bark in the early years, becoming more fissured over time. Magnolia grandiflora 'Mainstreet' tolerates pruning well, allowing control of its development in tighter spaces.

The less bulky Magnolia grandiflora 'Mainstreet' is particularly appreciated in urban or small gardens. It can be planted in a row to border a driveway or path. Its slender habit and moderate growth will be put to good use at the back of a border or as a single specimen in a small garden. Planted against a sunny wall, it offers a magnificent summer flowering display while being protected from cold winds. To accompany it, choose Japanese Camellias with evergreen foliage that bloom in winter. It can also be paired with Cercis canadensis 'Red Force', a small tree with purple foliage and pink flowers in spring, or with Viburnum tinus 'Giganteum', for a touch of greenery throughout the year. The Abelia chinensis will complement this set nicely with its fragrant flowering that renews from summer to early autumn.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 12 m
Spread at maturity 4.50 m
Habit conical, pyramidal
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time July to October
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 18 cm
Fragrance Very fragrant, lemon-scented
Fruit colour red

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Magnolia

Species

grandiflora

Cultivar

Mainstreet

Family

Magnoliaceae

Other common names

Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference23157

Planting and care

The Magnolia grandiflora 'Mainstreet' should be planted in spring, in deep, rich, fresh, consistent soil, in a good forest compost (pH 6) enriched with clayey garden soil. Pure heather soil is not recommended as it is too poor in nutrients. Clearly calcareous soils are not suitable for it. In warmer climates and mild winters, you can plant it in autumn so it can benefit from winter rainfall. It appreciates a sunny and open exposure, sheltered from prevailing winds, and will tolerate light shade further south. It is advisable to protect young plants from severe winter frosts during the first two or three years: dress them in a thick wintering veil if severe frosts are forecast, then remove it as soon as the temperatures soften a bit. The weight of the snow weakens the branches which can break, although this variety is rather less sensitive than others. As an adult, this variety proves to be quite cold-resistant, down to about -18°C. Be careful not to break the fleshy roots and not to bury the root ball too deeply. Mulch and water in summer, paying particular attention to hot and dry summers; this magnolia prefers the soil to remain fairly moist in summer. Maintain good humidity by showering its foliage with a fine spray only in the evening.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to April, October to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Back of border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Deep, rich, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning is not necessary, but this magnolia tolerates it well, just after flowering.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time September to October
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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