Search results

Magnolia Susan is a beautiful flowering tree known for its stunning blooms and attractive foliage. This deciduous tree is a member of the magnolia family and is a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers for its showy flowers that come in shades of pink and purple. The Magnolia Susan typically grows to a height of 10-15 feet and can spread up to 12 feet wide. It has a dense, upright growth habit and produces large, tulip-shaped flowers in mid to late spring. The flowers are about 5 inches across and have a sweet fragrance that fills the air. The leaves of the Magnolia Susan are glossy and dark green, with a slightly wavy margin. They are oval-shaped and can grow up to 6 inches long. In the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow before dropping for the winter.

The Magnolia 'Zofia' is an exquisite ornamental tree, highly prized for its stunning floral display and elegant structure. Known for its striking, goblet-shaped flowers, the 'Zofia' blooms early in the spring, often before the leaves emerge. The blossoms are typically a tulip-shaped flower ice-white with distinctive pink stripes, creating a beautiful contrast against the bare branches. These large, fragrant flowers can measure up to 20 cm across, making them a show-stopping feature in any garden.

This deciduous tree, which can reach heights of up to 6-7 metres, has a relatively slow growth rate, making it ideal for smaller gardens or as a focal point in larger landscapes. The 'Zofia' has a rounded, spreading habit, with smooth, greyish bark that adds interest throughout the year. Its leaves, once they appear, are a rich green and elliptical in shape, providing a lush backdrop to the dramatic flowers.

Magnolia 'Zofia' thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and prefers a sunny or partially shaded position. It is relatively hardy, capable of withstanding cold winters, but it benefits from being sheltered from strong winds and late frosts, which can damage the early blooms. Regular watering during dry periods is essential, particularly for young trees.

This magnolia is a superb choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of elegance and seasonal interest to their outdoor space. Its low-maintenance nature, combined with its stunning display of flowers, makes it a popular choice for a wide range of garden styles, from traditional to contemporary. Whether planted as a standalone specimen or within a mixed border, Magnolia 'Zofia' never fails to impress with its timeless beauty.

Calycanthus ‘Venus’ is a striking deciduous shrub, often known as a sweetshrub or Carolina allspice, that brings abundant ornamental interest to a garden from late spring into summer. It’s a hybrid selection created from crosses involving several species of Calycanthus, resulting in larger, more dramatic flowers than many traditional varieties.

This shrub develops a rounded, multi-stemmed habit, typically growing to around 2–4 metres in height and spread under favourable conditions, though many garden forms remain more compact at around 1.5–2 metres. Its glossy, dark green leaves are broad and attractively shaped, turning yellow-brown in autumn before the plant drops them for winter.

The most remarkable feature of Calycanthus ‘Venus’ is its large, creamy-white flowers, which often have yellow and purple markings at their centres and a subtle but delightful fragrance. The blooms are sometimes described as magnolia-like in shape, appearing from late spring through much of the summer and sometimes intermittently into early autumn.

This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil. It is adaptable to a range of soil types — from clay to loam — provided it isn’t prone to prolonged waterlogging. Once established, it is relatively low-maintenance, benefiting from light pruning after flowering to tidy the plant and encourage new growth.

Calycanthus ‘Venus’ works beautifully as a specimen plant, at the back of mixed borders, or as part of a cottage-style or informal garden scheme. Its combination of ornate flowers, scent and autumn leaf colour makes it a rewarding choice for gardeners seeking both structure and seasonal interest.