Magnolia grandiflora

'Coolwyn Gloss' is an Australian selection of the bull bay magnolia prized for its foliage as much as its flowers, deep green, high-gloss leaves backed with velvety copper, carried on a dense rounded crown. Creamy white flowers up to 30 cm across open through spring and summer with a rich lemon fragrance.

In the landscape

One of the most dependable evergreen feature trees for formal work, a single lawn specimen, matched pairs at an entry, or repeated as an avenue, screen or pleached line from around 3 m centres. Proven in street and roadside planting, and its non-invasive roots let it sit close to paving and structures. Pairs well with clipped hedging and stone.

Growing notes

Hardy across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, and particularly reliable in coastal south-east Queensland; tolerant of frost, coastal exposure, urban pollution and summer heat. Best in deep, loamy, slightly acidic soil with good drainage, in full sun to light shade. Evergreen, with moderate growth, maturing around 10–12 m tall with a rounded crown of 4–5 m in the ground.

This tree

• Height: 5.0–5.5 m
• Canopy width: 3.0–3.5 m
• Caliper: 90–120 mm
• Currently standing: 55 trees

Field-grown ex-ground at Ravensbourne Farm, root-pruned and basket-lifted, delivered and craned Australia-wide; price on application through the Shortlist.