Magnolia campbellii (Campbell's Magnolia)

Botanical Information

FamilyMagnoliaceae
GenusMagnolia
Speciescampbellii
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (deciduous)
OriginHimalayas to China, it is believed to be one of the first Asiatic species introduced to the United Kingdom. M. campbellii was first discovered by the English naturalist-surgeon William Griffith in the early nineteenth century in the remote forests of central Bhutan. However, since Griffith collected some rather poor herbarium specimens the plant did not receive the recognition it deserved until the director, Joseph Hooker, of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew went to India in the 1840’s (Sikkim) and saw the tree in flower. In 1855, Hooker and his colleague Thomas Thomson formally named the plant in honour of Archibald Campbell, the British East India Company official who had facilitated Hooker's entry into Sikkim.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-4) - (-1)
Temperature (°F)25 - 30
Height12-20 m
Spread4-8 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMarch

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionThis species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
CultivationBest grown in well-drained, moderately rich soil.
PestsNo major pests.
Notable SpecimensTrewidden Gardens, Cornwall, England. Lanhydrock, National Trust, Bodmin, Cornwall, England. Caerhays Castle, Cornwall, England. Borde Hill Garden, West Sussex, England. Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
HabitatForests and thickets at an altitude of 2,100 - 3,300 m.
Bark/Stem DescriptionTwigs are yellow-green, later grey to ochre.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves to 23 x 11 cm, dark green above and pale green beneath.
Flower DescriptionFlowers appear before leaves, white or crimson to rose-pink, paler above.
Fruit DescriptionCones to 15 cm.

Photographs