Magnolia grandiflora ‘Sweet Spire’

Sweet Spire Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Sweet Spire') solves the commonest screening problem in modern gardens: a boundary that needs height but has no width to give. It grows to about 6m tall yet holds itself to roughly 2m wide, a naturally columnar evergreen with glossy leaves backed in bronze felt. Creamy white flowers open through the warm months with the classic magnolia lemon scent.

Why you'll love it

• Tall and narrow by nature. At about 6m by 2m it screens an upstairs window from a narrow bed, no constant clipping required.
• Evergreen cover all year. The screen holds in July as well as January, and the bronze felted leaf backs give it a depth flat green hedges lack.
• Fragrant white flowers. Large creamy blooms appear through the warmer months, carrying that lemon magnolia perfume across the garden.
• Roots that behave near concrete. A non-invasive root system makes it one of the few 6m evergreens to line a driveway with in confidence.
• Tough beyond its looks. Frost hardy, heat tolerant and comfortable in coastal wind and salt once established.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 1.5m apart for a narrow evergreen screen. The columns knit into a solid wall of foliage while staying inside a bed 2m deep.

Driveways and avenues. The upright habit and well behaved roots suit repeat planting along a drive, where a broader magnolia would crowd cars.

Feature planting in small gardens. A single tree gives vertical structure and flowers without stealing ground space, and a matched pair frames an entry.

Growing Sweet Spire Magnolia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun brings the densest column and heaviest flowering; light part shade is acceptable. It is at home in cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean climates, and it is frost hardy once established.

Soil. Well drained soil enriched with compost suits it best, and it resents waterlogging. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off as the roots go down. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and again in mid summer keeps the foliage glossy.

Pruning. Very little is needed. A light trim after the main flush of flowers tightens the column, and that is usually the year's work done.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Sweet Spire as 200mm pots in packs of 6, 250mm pots in packs of 3, and single 45L trees. The packs are sized for screen runs: six young plants cover about 9m of boundary at the recommended spacing, and small stock establishes quickly. The 45L trees carry real height on arrival, for corners where privacy cannot wait.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect a quiet first month after planting, then steady growth of roughly 30 to 50cm a year. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Complete guide to magnolia tree care in Australia
• Browse the full magnolia collection
• Compare it with Little Gem Magnolia
• More hedging and screening plants

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Space plants 1.5m apart in a single row. That is close enough for the columns to meet within a few seasons while each tree keeps foliage to the ground.

How is Sweet Spire different from Little Gem?

Sweet Spire is taller and distinctly narrower, about 6m by 2m against Little Gem's 5m by 2.5m, with a more columnar outline. Choose it when the bed is tight.

Can I keep it shorter than 6m?

Yes. One trim a year after flowering holds it comfortably at 3m to 4m, and the dense branching means it still reads as a full column rather than a clipped pole.

Will it handle frost?

It is frost hardy once established and suits cool temperate gardens. Give young trees mulch and shelter for their first two winters.