Magnolia Grandiflora

Latimer

Hi all,

It's been a long time since I've posted, gardening having to take a back seat for a while unfortunately. I hope everyone is keeping well and has had a fruitful (or vegetableful) summer!

The front garden of our house has a Magnolia planted 10-15 years ago by our neighbours mother. This year it flowered for possibly the first time, not a huge number of flowers, maybe 10-20 over the summer. The base of the tree is pretty smothered with Campanula and lots of fallen leaves.

I'm assuming it will be beneficial to clear all of this but should I also mulch around the base with manure?

Many thanks!

Silver surfer

Super shape Magnolia.

I would remove all grass, weeds and plants in a large circle round the trunk and then spread a thick layer of mulch. Be sure it doesn't touch the trunk...see link
Not manure.
Old compost, or leaves that have rotted , even bark.
You can buy most things in garden centres.

It will keep the ground moist near your Magnolia and suppress weeds as well as looking good.

Each year you will get more flowers...enjoy it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+mulch+a+tree&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBo6H28qzsAhUFRhUIHeLCAJsQ_AUoAnoECBUQBA&biw=1280&bih=579

Latimer

Thanks @Silver surfer

How big a circle? 1m radius ok?

Fairygirl

Some spring bulbs would be nice surrounding it - whether you replace the perennials or not. 
Nice shapely tree, as @Silver surfer says. 

Latimer

Fairygirl said:

Some spring bulbs would be nice surrounding it - whether you replace the perennials or not. 
Nice shapely tree, as @Silver surfer says. 

Any suggestions? It doesn't get much sun at all. I was planning on sowing some woodland seeds in the area behind the trees

Fairygirl

Snowdrops and crocus will be fine. Some of the early dwarf  daffs too. You can also get autumn crocus, which are nice. 
Make your circle roughly the same as the tree canopy. That way, the roots get enough moisture without too much competition, and any planting gets enough light if needed. 

Latimer

@Fairygirl thank you as always!

One final question, thick layer of mulch and then plant the bulbs through it? Or plant the bulbs then mulch?

I'll go and Google snowdrops, I seem to remember something about planting them in the green but never figured out what that meant!!

rachelQrtJHBjb

Latimer said:

Fairygirl said:

Some spring bulbs would be nice surrounding it - whether you replace the perennials or not. 
Nice shapely tree, as @Silver surfer says. 

Any suggestions? It doesn't get much sun at all. I was planning on sowing some woodland seeds in the area behind the trees

I've got Chionodoxa 'Pink Giant' under an established, deciduous Viburnum in a north-facing border that does not receive any sun in winter. It pops up every year and makes a pleasing display. Anemone blanda may also work. 

Fairygirl

Yes  - snowdrops are best planted in the green, which just means you buy them in spring, after they've flowered, but still have foliage. They establish better than buying them as bulbs at this time of year. 
Plant your bulbs and then mulch, but you can generally improve the soil before planting, with some compost. It wouldn't matter much which way you did it if you're using compost as a mulch though 

Silver surfer

Dwarf daffs would look good.
Plant first...then mulch.
Snowdrops don't like a thick layer of mulch on top of them.
Plant snowdrops in grass round Magnolia...they will be fine in shade.

Agree with Fairygirl...circle as big as bottom branches would be my recommendation.

Be careful..do not do volcano mulch..see my link in post above.
It kills trees.

Latimer

@Fairygirl @Silver surfer @rachelQrtJHBjb

Thank you all so much! Hopefully I'll have some great pics in spring!