Yulan Magnolia: Growing Magnolia denudata in Australia

Magnolia denudata (Yulan Magnolia) is a Tree which grows to a height of 10m and a width of 10m . It has a slow growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 6 and is quite resilient to frost.

Yulan Magnolia will flower from September to November. the seeds ripen from March to May.

The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees.

How to Grow Yulan Magnolia in Australia

Soil Information

Lily Tree will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.

The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :

• pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
• pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils

Lily Tree prefers moist soils.

Ideal Planting Locations for Yulan Magnolia

Lily Tree can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Found in thickets, the trees are often cut down and sprouting from the base.

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Is suited as a canopy tree
• Is suited as a secondary tree

Yulan Magnolia Cultivation Details 

Best grown in a warm position in a moderately rich free soil of an open texture. Succeeds in an acid or neutral peaty soil in sun or part shade. Tolerates alkaline soils so long as they are deep and rich in humus.

The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required. Very tolerant of atmospheric pollution. A very ornamental tree, it is hardy to about -20°C when dormant but plants can be excited into early growth by mild winters and the flowers are then liable to be killed by frost.

The flowers, which begin to be produced when the plant is quite young, are deliciously scented. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer

Edible Rating: 1/5

The flowers, after the calyx has been removed, are pickled and used for flavouring rice.

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Magnolia denudata Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer

Medicinal Rating: 2/5

Tonic. The flower buds and the seeds are carminative and diaphoretic. The flower buds are antifungal, astringent, cytotoxic, hypotensive and a uterine stimulant. They are used in Korea in the treatment of headaches, nasal obstruction and sinusitis.

They are picked in early spring, dried and then used in Chinese medicine to clear the nasal passages. The plant is anodyne and sedative.

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antifungal - An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Cytotoxic - Destroys body cells. Used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, where it is targeted against the cancer cells.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Hypotensive - Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Uterine tonic - A tonic for the uterus. See also oxytoxic.

Yulan Magnolia Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it can take 18 months.

Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter.

They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15 cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Layering in early spring.

Scented parts of the Magnolia denudata

Flowers: Fresh

References

Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

• Bean. W.
• Author: Bean. W.
• Publisher: A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
• Date of Publication: 1981

Plantae Wilsonae.

• Wilson. E. H.
• Author: Wilson. E. H.
• Publisher: Details of the plants collected by the plant collector E. H. Wilson on his travels in China. Give some habitats. Not for the casual reader.

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

• Huxley. A.
• Author: Huxley. A.
• Publisher: Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
• Date of Publication: 1992