Black Tulip Magnolia

Black Tulip Magnolia (Magnolia 'Black Tulip') is the deciduous magnolia for gardens where space is tight and you still want a moment. It grows to about 4m tall and 2.5m wide, and in late winter it opens deep burgundy, tulip shaped blooms on completely bare branches, before a single leaf appears. Few plants make that much impact from that little ground.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers before the leaves. Goblet shaped blooms in deep wine purple open on bare wood in late winter, when almost nothing else is doing anything.
• Upright and compact. At roughly 4m by 2.5m it holds an erect, narrow shape, so it fits a courtyard, a front bed or a spot beside a driveway.
• Roots that stay out of trouble. Non-invasive roots, so you can plant near paving without worrying about lifted concrete.
• Pet friendly. Not toxic to cats or dogs, which matters at a front door.
• Very little work. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, comfortable in humidity, and almost no pruning needed.

Where it works best

As a feature in a small garden. Give it 2.5m to 3m of clear width. The dark flowers show best against a rendered wall or a green hedge.

Driveways and entry avenues. Plant 3m to 4m apart for a matched run that stays narrow enough not to crowd cars, with the whole line flowering at once.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider holds it for years at around 2.5m to 3m, though potted magnolias dry out fast in summer.

Growing Black Tulip Magnolia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, though it accepts part shade with fewer blooms. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, so Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney are all good ground. Cold winters improve bud set, but a late frost can brown open flowers, so shelter it from early morning sun. It is not a plant for the tropics.

Soil. Deep, well drained and slightly acidic, with compost through the backfill. Magnolias hate waterlogging, so raise the bed on heavy clay. Mulch 75mm deep and clear of the trunk, because the surface roots are shallow.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then weekly in hot weather. Feed a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again in mid summer.

Pruning. Almost none. Take out crossing or damaged branches straight after flowering, and leave the leader alone, because cutting the top spoils the upright form.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in four sizes: 300mm and 400mm pots, then 45L and 100L. The 300mm and 400mm plants are young trees, usually one or two stems with a modest branch structure, and they take two to three years before they flower properly. The 45L and 100L trees arrive with real height and a formed head, and flower in their first winter with you.

Because it is deciduous, stock sent between late autumn and late winter arrives bare stemmed, or carrying only fat flower buds. That is normal and not a fault. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete guide to magnolia care in Australia
• Compare the full magnolia range
• Small magnolia varieties for Australian gardens
• Browse other deciduous trees

Common questions

How long before it flowers?

A 45L or 100L tree flowers in its first season with you. Smaller 300mm and 400mm plants usually need two to three years to build enough wood, and the display grows heavier every year after.

Can I keep it in a pot permanently?

Yes, in a pot at least 500mm wide with free draining mix. Expect it to hold at 2.5m to 3m rather than 4m, with root pruning and fresh mix every three to four years.

Will the roots damage paving or pipes?

The root system is fibrous and non-invasive, which is why magnolias are a common choice near hard surfaces. Leave about 1.5m of clearance from a slab or path.