Magnolia ‘Sunsation’ Care Guide

Magnolia ‘Sunsation’ is a breathtaking spring-flowering small tree with large, upright, tulip-shaped blooms in vibrant yellow flushed with a soft rose-pink base. The flowers appear on bare branches in mid- to late spring, extending the magnolia season beyond many early varieties. Compact and elegant, it’s perfect for modern gardens, small lawns, or feature planting. With the right spot and a little care, ‘Sunsation’ will become a long-lived, spectacular highlight each spring.

Planting & Position

Choosing the correct location helps your magnolia establish and flower beautifully year after year.

• Light requirements:

  • Thrives in full sun to light partial shade.

  • Needs at least 4–6 hours of sunlight for best flower production.

• Shelter:

  • Plant in a sheltered spot, protected from cold, drying winds.

  • Avoid frost pockets, as late frosts can damage buds and flowers.

• Soil:

  • Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7).

  • Avoid chalky or highly alkaline soils; improve with ericaceous compost if needed.

• Planting time:

  • Best planted in spring or early autumn when soil is warm and workable.

• Spacing & size:

  • Expect a mature size of about 3–4 m tall and wide over 10–15 years.

  • Allow room for its elegant spreading form.

• Container planting:

  • Possible when young in a large pot with ericaceous compost, but best planted in the ground for long-term health and flowering.

Care & Maintenance

With a little seasonal care, Magnolia ‘Sunsation’ is easy to grow and reliably stunning.

• Watering:

  • Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the first 2–3 years and dry summers.

  • Water deeply rather than often to encourage strong roots.

• Feeding:

  • Feed in spring with an ericaceous or acid-loving plant fertiliser to support flowering.

  • A second light feed in midsummer helps set buds for the following year.

• Mulching:

  • Apply a thick mulch of leaf mould, bark, or ericaceous compost in spring to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots.

  • Keep mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk.

• Pruning:

  • Minimal pruning is required — magnolias prefer to be left natural.

  • If needed, prune lightly in late summer after flowering to remove damaged or crossing branches.

  • Avoid heavy pruning, which can stress the tree and reduce blooms.

• Pests & diseases:

  • Generally pest-free and low-maintenance.

  • Watch for aphids or scale insects on new growth; treat if needed.

  • Yellowing leaves may indicate alkaline soil; add ericaceous compost or feed to correct.

• Frost protection:

  • Cover young plants or buds with fleece during late frosts in early spring to prevent damage.

Design Uses & Seasonal Interest

‘Sunsation’ is a show-stopping feature tree that shines in spring and adds elegance all year.

• Feature planting:

  • Perfect as a stand-alone tree on a lawn, in borders, or as a focal point in small gardens.

  • Excellent for contemporary gardens looking for unusual colour.

• Seasonal appeal:

  • Mid- to late spring: Large, upright yellow blooms with soft rose bases appear after most early magnolias have finished.

  • Summer: Lush mid-green foliage provides a fresh backdrop in beds and borders.

  • Autumn: Leaves may turn soft yellow before falling.

  • Winter: Strong, branching form gives structure and interest.

• Companion plants:

  • Pair with other spring interest plants like hellebores, hostas, azaleas, and camellias.

  • Underplant with bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, or crocus for extra spring colour.

• Wildlife value:

  • Flowers attract early pollinators like bees.

In summary: Magnolia ‘Sunsation’ is a compact, hardy magnolia that brings a striking display of tulip-shaped yellow blooms in late spring, perfect for small to medium gardens. Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with moist, slightly acidic soil, water well while young, mulch annually, and prune lightly only when needed. Rewarding and long-lived, it provides an unforgettable spring spectacle with minimal maintenance

• Size
  12lt

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
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