Garden Care Guide

Saucer Magnolia Care

Magnolia soulangiana

A deciduous small tree famous for its large, tulip-like flowers that open on bare branches before the leaves in spring. It likes full sun or light shade and well-drained, rich, slightly acidic soil. In chalky soils its leaves may yellow (chlorosis).

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Pruning: Not needed; you may damage the flower buds. Prune only if urgent (broken branch, etc.).
  • Plant protection: Dormant oil (mineral oil) can be applied against scale insects (Coccoidea) on the trunk and branches.
  • General care: Dormancy period.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for the presence of scale insects.
  • Frost risk: The tree is hardy, but flower buds are sensitive.
February
  • Plant protection: Dormant oil application can be done at the beginning of the month if needed.
  • General care: Flower buds begin to swell.
  • Frost risk: Flower buds are very sensitive to frosts because they are close to opening.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy. It loves acidic soil; if interveinal yellowing (chlorosis) appears on the leaves in limy soil, prefer an acidic fertilizer.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Browning of the flowers is a sign of frost damage.
  • Frost risk: It is the riskiest month for flowers. Late frosts can destroy all the flowers.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: If it was not applied in March, it can be applied at the beginning of the month.
  • Pruning: The best time for pruning is as soon as flowering ends. Remove dead, weak, and crossing branches.
  • Plant protection: If aphids are seen on the new leaves, apply neem oil at the label dose.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: If yellowing (chlorosis) begins on the leaves, apply iron chelate.
  • Frost risk: Reduced, but young leaves may be sensitive.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: If there are signs of chlorosis, continue the iron supplement.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering. Prune minimally; only remove dead, broken, or crossing branches. Heavy pruning multiplies water sprouts and invites diseases. Late spring frosts damage flower buds.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Pruning: Not done; next year's buds begin to form.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Mulch is important for keeping the roots cool against the summer heat.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Drying (scorching) on the leaf edges can be a sign of insufficient watering.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: The plant may drop its leaves during extreme heat; this is a stress response, so check your watering.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: A suitable time for autumn planting.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Collect fallen leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting. Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under them.
  • Frost risk: Young saplings may be sensitive to the first winter frosts.
December
  • Plant protection: Preparations for dormant oil application can be made if needed.
  • General care: Full dormancy period.
  • Frost risk: Young saplings should be protected in severe frosts.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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