Cylindrical Magnolia is a small, flowering, deciduous tree, native to China, that begins with a vase form, but becomes more round in shape as the tree matures. It can reach a mature height of 30 feet and a 15 foot width. The flowers, white tepals fading to pink at base, appear before the leaves. Cylindrical Magnolia does best in moist, fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It does not tolerate poor soils and the plant site should be sheltered from strong wind. Exposure to heat can cause the flower buds to open too early in Spring. Provide consistent moisture throughout the year. This hardy magnolia is rare in cultivation and is listed as endangered due to loss of habitat. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. More information on Magnolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded; Vase
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Dark. glossy, green leaves, 5 inches long and 2 inches wide, are grey-green underneath with fine, pale yellow hairs. Over time, the upper surface becomes green and smooth.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Cylindrical lily-like 3 inch white flowers appear in late spring to early summer before the leaves, with pinkish filaments. Flower buds have long, pale yellowish to silvery-grey hairs.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
Cylindrical, pendulous, 2 to 3 inch fruit. Long, green with various shades of red when ripe.
Bark color
Light Gray
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Branches have pale yellow hairs when young, purplish brown when older. The branches are pungent when crushed.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eastern China
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Walkways
Landscape theme
Asian Garden
Design feature
Accent; Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#deciduous #flowering tree #small tree #rounded #fragrant flowers