Hello, Of the three you mention, the Magnolia liliiflora 'Nigra' would be the best for a large pot (filled with ericaceous compost) on the patio. Do make sure however that it is kept well fed and watered.

Helen

Hello, These are in 2-litre pots so are still quite young plants. It is difficult to be too specific about sizes as they are all different, but if I were to have a rough guess, I would say they were around 30cm high and around 20cm wide. They should be in leaf now, but we could not guarantee flowers.

Helen

Hello, If this has only been planted for a few years, then you should be able to move it successfully if you can dig it up without severing too much of the rootball. This should be done while the plant is completely dormant, so late autumn would be ideal - and you will need to make sure it is kept really well watered for the first year after transfer.

Helen

Hello, I have not heard of Magnolia moves, but Magnolia liliiflora'Nigra' can certainly be grown in a large pot provided it is kept well fed and watered.

Hello, This will be approximately 30cm tall in a 3-litre pot. I hope this helps,

Hello Margaret, The Magnolias we sell are fully hardy in most areas of the UK, however the best indication of what will grow in your area is to see what is already there. Alternatively if you really get blasted by wind or freezing temperatures and you want plants that usually won't tolerate these conditions, then perhaps you need to create a shelterbelt, which will produce a microclimate. I'm sorry not to be more help. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hi Helen Many thanks for your nice quick reply - I looked up another source ("A to Z Encyclopedia.....") and it indicate that the cultivar was later flowering as you say. Problem solved! Cheers Rob

Crocus Helpdesk

Hello Rob, It is always difficult to be specifier about flowering periods as so much depends on the weather as well as where the plants are growing. I have just double checked with the RHS and they say this cultivar flowers later than the species, so will flower in early summer and then intermittently into autumn. I have recently seen some of them on the nursery though and I would expect to see a few flowers in May. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Rob Graham

Thanks Helen, for both of your emails - I've decided on the pot option and ordered M liliflora 'Nigra'.

Ann Steward

Hello again Ann, One more thing.... If the soil is not too alkaline, you could grow any of the following Magnolias M.grandiflora http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/magnolia-grandiflora-/classid.4124/ M. x loebneri Leonard Messel http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/magnolia-%C3%97-loebneri-leonard-messel/classid.4144/ M.stellata http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/specimen-plants/magnolia-stellata-/classid.2000012898/ M. wilsonii http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/magnolia-wilsonii-/classid.7928/ I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Ann, Thanks for the lovely feedback - we do try to inspire! As for the Magnolia, I think it is always best to work with what you have rather than trying to fight it, so if you really, really want one, then get yourself a really big pot and grow it in there. Opt for one of the more compact types like :- M. Susan http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/specimen-plants/magnolia-susan/classid.2000012896/ M. liliflora Nigra http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/shrubs/magnolia-liliiflora-nigra/classid.4135/ They will never reach their full height in a pot, but as long as they are kept well fed and watered they will be happy in there for many years. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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Hello Helen Thank you for your help - I will do as you suggest. Laura

Laura Steed

Hello Laura, These are fully hardy so, although the optimum time for planting is spring or autumn, they can be planted out at any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen. Therefore I would recommend you get it into the ground as soon as you can. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Crocus Helpdesk

Hello Margaret, it is rare to find larger sized Ceanothus as they are usually quite short-lived and don't normally live longer than 6 - 8 years. We do have a selection of larger shrubs on our site like Hamamelis, Hydrangeas, Magnolias, Acer, Cornus, Cotinus, Philadelphus, Syringa and Viburnum, so you may find something of interest. They will be listed in this section. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/ I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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