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Step 1
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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Step 2
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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Step 3
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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Step 4
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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Step 5
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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Step 6
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.
