Exmouth Magnolia

The Exmouth Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Exmouth') is the full sized evergreen magnolia: a stately tree to around 10m with large glossy leaves backed in rusty felt, and dinner plate white flowers that pour out lemon perfume through the warm months. Where Little Gem is the courtyard version, Exmouth is the estate version, built for avenues, tall screens and gardens with room for a landmark. It is frost hardy, drought tolerant once settled, and handles coastal air with ease.

Why you'll love it

• Grand scale done properly. A vigorous classical form of the southern magnolia that actually becomes the tree the photographs promise.
• Flowers you can smell from the fence. Huge cream white goblets, opening from spring through summer, each with the signature citrus perfume.
• Evergreen presence. The lacquered leaves with bronze undersides keep the tree luxurious in every season.
• A screen with dignity. Planted 4m apart it builds a tall evergreen wall that beats any fence for looks and property value.
• Pet friendly. Safe around cats and dogs, unusual among statement trees.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give it lawn or a deep bed and 5m of clear spread; it rewards the space for a century.

Tall screening. A row at 4m spacing screens a two storey neighbour inside a decade, dense from ground to crown.

Driveways and avenues. Few trees make a more imposing formal drive; allow 5m to 6m between trunks.

Growing the Exmouth Magnolia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade. It thrives from the subtropics through warm and cool temperate and Mediterranean climates, taking frost, heat and salt wind once established.

Soil. Deep, rich and well drained is ideal; it tolerates clay better than most feature trees if not waterlogged. Mulch generously and keep it off the trunk.

Water and feed. Water deeply twice a week for the first two summers; established trees handle normal dry spells. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser each spring while young.

Pruning. Rarely needed. Remove lower limbs early if you want a lifted crown, or leave it furnished to the ground as a screen. Prune after flowering if at all.

What to expect when it arrives

Exmouth ships as 300mm and 400mm trees for patient planters, and as advanced 100L and 200L stock that arrives with metres of height and often flowers its first season. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost with specialist transport quoted for your address. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95,. Expect measured growth the first year while roots establish, then strong annual pushes. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Magnolia care guide
• Browse the full magnolia range
• More evergreen trees

Common questions

How is Exmouth different from Little Gem?

Scale. Little Gem is a dwarf form for 4m hedges and courtyards; Exmouth is the true tree, reaching about 10m with larger leaves and flowers. Choose by the space, not the photo.

How fast does it grow?

Moderate: roughly 40cm to 60cm a year once established, quicker with water and feed. The 100L and 200L sizes exist so you can skip the early years entirely.

Will the roots trouble my paving?

Magnolia roots are fleshy rather than aggressive, and problems are rare with 3m or more of clearance. Give a tree this size that courtesy as a matter of course.

When does it flower?

The main flush runs from late spring through summer, with scattered blooms into autumn in warm districts. Advanced trees usually flower in their first season with you.