Magnolia ‘Vulcan’

Magnolia 'Vulcan' (Magnolia 'Vulcan') carries the deepest red flowers of any garden magnolia, opening on bare branches in late winter before a single leaf appears. It grows to about 5m tall and 3m wide, which keeps it inside the scale of a suburban front garden. Bred in New Zealand, it flowers young and holds an upright frame.

Why you'll love it

• Ruby red goblet flowers. Large cup shaped blooms in the deepest red of the garden magnolias, carried on bare wood.
• Colour when little else has any. The display arrives in late winter and early spring, ahead of most of the garden.
• A tree for a small block. About 5m by 3m at maturity, upright rather than sprawling, so it suits a front lawn or courtyard.
• Roots that behave. Non-invasive, so it can sit near a driveway, path or paving, and it is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give it an open position where the winter flowers can be seen from inside the house. A dark fence or a green hedge behind it lifts the red considerably.

Small gardens. At 3m across it fits a compact bed, with about 3m of clearance from a wall so the canopy develops evenly.

Driveways and avenues. Planted 5m apart it makes a matched run that flowers as one.

Growing Magnolia 'Vulcan' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, or light afternoon shade in hot inland districts, sheltered from strong wind that shreds the open flowers. This is a cool temperate and warm temperate tree. It is frost hardy and wants genuine winter cold to flower properly, so it is not the pick for subtropical or tropical gardens.

Soil. Deep, well drained soil with compost worked through, slightly acidic if you can manage it. Magnolias resent disturbance around the root plate, so plant once, then mulch rather than dig.

Water and feed. Keep the root zone evenly moist through the first two summers, because a young magnolia is not drought tolerant. Feed an acid loving plant fertiliser after flowering, and hold 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk.

Pruning. Very little is needed. Take out crossing or damaged wood immediately after flowering and leave the rest alone, since next winter's flower buds form over summer.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: 400mm pots, 45L and 100L. The 400mm plants are young trees, usually around head height, and reach flowering size within a season or two. The 45L and 100L trees arrive already framed up.

Deciduous stock travels bare of leaves through winter, the ideal planting window. Expect one settling season before the first strong flowering. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our magnolia tree care guide for Australia.
• Compare the deciduous and evergreen types of magnolia trees.
• See the full magnolia collection.
• Browse other deciduous trees.

Common questions

When does it flower?

Late winter into early spring, on bare branches, usually over three to four weeks. Young trees flower lightly at first and build the display each year.

Will it flower in a subtropical garden?

Not reliably. It needs winter chill to set and open buds properly, so it belongs in cool temperate and warm temperate gardens. In warmer, humid climates an evergreen magnolia is the better choice.

How close to the house can I plant it?

About 3m clear of a wall gives the canopy room to develop evenly. The roots are fibrous and non-invasive, so paths, driveways and services are not a concern.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

Yes. Magnolias are not toxic to cats or dogs, and there is no fruit or seed drop worth worrying about in a family garden.