Magnolia White Caviar

Magnolia (formerly called Michelia) 'White Caviar' is a shrub with an exotic appearance and shiny, evergreen leaves. It produces many cream-white flowers with pink stamens, which are fragrant, in late spring and early summer. Vigorous but slightly frost-sensitive, it prefers rather mild oceanic climates, and a location in partial shade or light sun, in moist and acidic soil. It can also find its place on your terrace, to create an exotic and original decor.

Michelia 'White Caviar' belongs to the Michelia genus, which botanists have now reintegrated into the Magnolia genus. Therefore, you can find this plant under both names, Magnolia or Michelia 'White Caviar'. All of them belong to the very ancient Magnoliaceae family, which includes fossil plants that are 90 million years old.

This beautiful variety is the result of hybridisation between Michelia/Magnolia figo and M. laevifolia, two shrubs native to high-altitude forests in China. With a very exotic appearance, it has tough and glossy evergreen foliage: dark green on the front and slightly lighter on the back. Between May and July, the shrub produces delicate brownish-fawn flower buds, which eventually open into cream-white flowers about 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) in diameter, with pink stamens. These flowers resemble miniature Magnolia grandiflora flowers. As with many Michelia plants, flowering is highly fragrant and reminiscent of the scent of ripe fruits like bananas. The shrub can reach a height of about 3 m (9 ft 10 in) and a width of 2 m (6 ft 7 in), with a fairly dense habit.

While it is robust and quite vigorous, Michelia 'White Caviar' has average hardiness: it is preferable not to expose it to temperatures regularly dropping beneath -10 °C (14 °F). Therefore, reserve a location in bright shade, well protected from east and north winds, which could quickly damage its beautiful foliage and compromise its flowering. Strong sunlight can also scorch its leaves. It appreciates moist and rich soil that does not dry out in summer, and rather acidic soil. In limestone soil, the plant does not develop well and its leaves turn yellow.

Its uniqueness allows it to be used as a standalone plant, highlighted in an exotic setting with neighbours like Fatsia polycarpa, Fuchsia regia, or Schefflera taiwaniana, and perennials like Boehmeria biloba and Hosta 'Halcyon', as well as ferns such as Athyrium otophorum var. okanum or Coniogramme emeiensis. Its dense habit also allows it to be used as a hedge, as well as in large pots. Its growth will then be more restricted, and care should be taken to ensure that the substrate does not dry out.