How to Care for a Japanese Magnolia
Japanese magnolias are beautiful trees that have large white, pink or purple blooms. They're relatively small and some people even use them as shrubs. You can keep them looking great since they're so easy to care for. These ornamental trees can really add some color to your yard. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Plant your Japanese magnolia after your storm season is over, but before your cold season hits. You must give your tree's root system time to develop; don't take a chance that high winds uproot it or a cold snap freezes its roots.
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Mulch around the base of the tree, after you plant it. Make a small bed for it by putting a two-foot-wide circle around the tree with mulch. This will insulate the roots to regulate temperature, help control weeds and allow for easy mowing around the tree.
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Add extra mulch when your cold season starts. Normal mulch depth is about two inches; go ahead and add another two. This helps keep the roots from freezing during a hard freeze. You can also cover the Japanese magnolia with an old sheet if you're using it as a shrub or if it's still just a sapling. You have to take extra care if you live in a climate that gets lots of cold weather.
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Fertilize your Japanese magnolia in late winter. Use an 8-8-8 balanced fertilizer; spread it at a rate of one pound per 100 square feet of planted area. Wait until after the tree is well established in its home in your yard before applying any type of fertilizer.
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Prune your tree after its flowers bloom. You can just prune it to whatever shape you want. This will depend on if your plant is a tree or a shrub. You don't have to prune trees as meticulously as you do shrubs.
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Water your plant on a regular basis. Japanese magnolias have average water needs; only water when the soil feels dry. If it feels moist at all, you don't need to water. If you live in an area that gets lots of rain, you'll only have to provide minimal care for the plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you research the soil, water and sun requirements for your specific breed of Japanese magnolia before you plant it. Different cultivars have different needs, so ensure that you're providing the proper conditions for your particular tree or shrub.
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Comments
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Help on caring for my new Japanese Magnolia very helpful and informative for my zone. When I was young, we had a gorgeous one in our yard that grew lying down, so we could climb it or just sit on it and have a fun time. I doubt I'll ever see another tree like that one and unfortunately no pictures..it was huge and very unusual.. Thank you for your help and have a great day..
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I have had one in my wildlife garden for 3 years and it has been beautiful, but this year it didn't bloom and the leaves are turning brown! Can you help me?
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Had one of these planted today ~ should be brilliant next spring & I won't feel so sad not having lilacs ;).
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I have one in my back yard. It has beautiful flowers and very easy to take care of.
