Michelia doltsopa   NCN

Magnoliaceae

Evergreen, from Asia. Design height is 15', mature height is 40'; smaller cultivars have been used as street trees. Evergreen with sweet fragrance, more 'casual' flower than Magnolia. Slow growth, openly branching. Simple leaves, alternately arranged, 3 to 8" long, 3 to 4" wide, dark green undulate and elliptic, oblong. White to green 5 to 7" showy flowers, blooms December through March and intermittently in September through November. Green to brown fruit in spring. Prefers full sun, high to moderate water, like loam and sandy soil. Propagate from cuttings and seeds. Little pruning required. Use as accent, as a screen, garden or lawn tree, can be used in narrow spaces. Michelia vs. Magnolia: Michelia doltsopa is taller than wide, Magnolia denudata is more horizontal to square, open, gnarled. Magnolia leaves are obovate. Magnolia denudata leaf also has a blunt tip. Photos taken at Strybing.