How do you fertilise Michelia gracipes?
Feed with a fertiliser suitable for acid loving plants such as Tui Acid Food or Tui Enrich Rose, Camellia, Azalea and Gardenia controlled release fertiliser. Michelia gracipes is a frost hardy plant, but avoid fertilising late in autumn as this can push soft new growth which could potentially get damaged by frost in winter.
What is Michelia gracipes?
Michelia gracipes is a handsome, evergreen tree grown for both its foliage and flowers. It grows as a small and shapely tree, carrying large and glossy, dark green leaves which are attractive in their own right.
What are the different types of Michelia?
Mark’s three michelia selections to date are sold under the Fairy Magnolia brand and are widely available in New Zealand garden centres and in some overseas countries. Blush is a soft pink, Cream is very fragrant and grows in a similar, compact manner to Blush. White is a larger grower and the first in the season to flower.
Where can you find michelias in your garden?
They are in shelter belts, hedges, around the garden, through the nursery areas – anywhere there is space. Fairy Magnolia Blush was the first release a few years ago, bringing pink into the colour range. Cream and White are being released this year. What we love about michelias is their versatility.
What kind of soil does Michelia gracipes like?
Like all members of this genus, Michelia gracipes grows best in a well-drained humus rich soil. It is at home in semi-shade or full-sun as long the roots are kept cool and damp during the hot summer months. Any trimming or pruning should be done after flowering.
When do Michelia gracipes bloom?
Brown furry buds open to masses of five to 10 centimeters of creamy white, heavily scented flowers in late winter and early spring. Odd flowers can appear through the summer months as well.
When do michelias bloom?
Most of them peak in spring but some keep on flowering for months on end and some will have a second blooming in summer. There are a few michelias that are widely available here. M. figo has long been referred to as the port wine magnolia and many gardeners will know it.
What is a Michelia yunnanensis?
What we used to know as Michelia yunnanensis is certainly a popular addition to the garden plants of this country. It had a brief flirtation with being called Magnolia dianica before its current name was settled upon. It is now correctly known as Magnolia laevifolia but you are still more likely to find it sold as M. yunnanensis. It sets seed really freely so just about every nursery around the country has made a selection and named it (including us!). You can recognise it by its small leaves and creamy cup shaped blooms. You can hedge it and clip it but it is easier to start with a variety which is more generous in the leafage department.
